Achillea Outside My Window

by Deborah LeFalle

After all the frost is gone

young fragile foliage                                                                                                                          

soft, leathery fern-like leaves                                                                                                             

will sprout through dirt mounds.

Young fragile foliage

chalky gray-green appearance

will sprout through dirt mounds.

Stems resembling mini rods will forge upward.

Chalky gray-green appearance

buds will open – white, then pale yellow.

Stems resembling mini rods will forge upward.

They will delight in the springtime sun.

Buds will open – white, then pale yellow

at full maturity, spectacular gold.

They will delight in the springtime sun.

Ladybugs will fly in to explore.

At full maturity, spectacular gold –

butterflies will flit about in search of nectar.

Ladybugs will fly in to explore, and

dot gold crowns with red and black beads.

Butterflies will flit about in search of nectar

landing on plentiful flower clusters.

Gold crowns will be dotted with red and black beads.

Blooming will decline at summer’s end.

Flower clusters will be plentiful

but will lose their vibrancy come autumn.

Blooming will decline at summer’s end

and leaves will start fading and dry out.

Vibrancy will vanish come autumn

and flowers will need dead-heading as they brown.

Leaves will start fading and dry out,

preparing Achillea to sleep through winter.

Flowers will need dead-heading as they brown

and whole clumps – cutting all the way back.

Achillea will sleep through winter

until all the frost is gone again.