Poppy Watch

I’ve been watching the shirley poppies in our front yard for the past few days, and drawing them in my nature journal. I’m learning about how it grows and becomes a seed pod. Noticing that in the beginning the bud is bent downward as it first emerges. Then lifts its “head” parallel to the ground as it grows, then finally pointed up toward the sky before the protective bud sheath cracks opens and the petals start showing. 

I noted that the two halves of the bud sheath, the sepals, act like a shell, protecting the delicate petals until the flower opens, then it falls off and drops to the ground. They remind me of almond shells, but spiky.

Today while sitting beside the poppies I noticed two halves fallen on the ground by the base of the poppy plant.  I know which flower it belonged to- it’s the new one that opened this morning. There was something special in that moment – of recognizing this specific flower over all the others on the plant.

Knowing the important purpose of this protective cover that cradled the blossom until it was ready. And there was a sadness because it was no longer needed, left to dry up and die. Then I realized, it doesn’t die, but rather transforms into something else. It will decay and break down into the soil, feeding the next flowers that grow in this spot. Observing this I felt transformed. A thread of connection was cast onto this poppy and its sepals, it connects me with the cycle of nature. 

Have you watched a flower transform from bud to blossom to seed pod?



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