MATILIJA

...
Beside a flat and barren road
A soft-white poppy stands
And casts its fragrance
Through the desert air because...
That's what a poppy does.
...
Does grey and prickly chaparral
Shriv'ling in the midday sun
Spare a scornful thought
For pale and fragile Matalija,
Or does it know,
.........gain strength
And far more richly grow
In scented air?
...
My precious poppy seems so frail,
Buffeted by the winds of life.
Often, in the night, I fear
This bloom will fade and die
.........and yet
The desert air was ne'er so sweet,
Or life so fresh and new
Except Matalija
Does what she must do.
....
From Life's A Bitch by GeoE
...
Matalija Poppy, native to Southern California and Mexico, Spectacular, growing to 8' or more, flower up to 9" wide, white, crinkled petals surround a cluster of golden stamens. Fragrant. Grows by desert roadside where little else is found.
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