Cat Tail Wands

As I walked along the sand
on the shores of Silver Lake
My feet did tread so softly-
a sound they did not make.
And then I saw a family
of tall and slender stems
They nodded their heads as if to say
"won't you be my friend?"
I stepped a little closer then
and what did I behold?
 Cat tails firm and plump and fat-
Big and brown and bold.
I ran my finger up and down
its body firm and fat
It felt so long and kind of strong,
 like the tail of my cat!
"Yes, our name is 'cat tail'"
they all replied to me
"The red wing black birds like us so
and sing a kickereekee!"
And then a wind came rushing by
and a tail it opened wide
I stepped a little closer then
and took a peek inside.
It was filled up to the top
with white and silky stuff
It tickled my finger and made me laugh-
 soft and feathery fluff!
I plucked the cat tail from the stem
and held it in my hand
The wind it blew that feathery fluff
all along the sand.
The seeds they whirled and twirled around
happy as can be
Exclaiming "we can dance in the wind-
finally we are free!"
I waved that magic wand around
and watched the faeries fly
And then I waved my hand to bid
them all a sweet goodbye.
​And when I went back home that night
I petted my kitty's fur
I told her all about the plants
that are named just after her.
So when you walk along the shore
and the autumn winds do blow
Be sure to look for cat tails high
and stop and say 'hello'.
You too can wave your magic wand
and watch the faeries fly
And wave to them a gentle hand-
An autumn sweet goodbye.

written by Christine Summerfield/September 2016