Flowers I Can Eat

Flowers I Can Eat
In the days of winter cold I eat my salad green
Spinach, kale and rainbow chard, leeks long and lean.
But in the spring and summer days, it's full of colorful hues
Reds and golds and oranges, purples, pinks and blues.
For my garden is full of flowers that give me tasty treats
I discover all the blossoms I can safely eat.
For starters there's nasturtiums red that add a little spice
The leaves so round are edible too, you get to eat them twice!
The sunflowers and calendula stand up straight and bold
They add the colors warm and bright with their petals gold.
And if you want a little touch of rich and velvety sheen
Sprinkle roses on the top-you'll feel just like a queen!
The bachelor buttons in summer time add a lovely cornflower blue
And borage helps me remember a perfect star so true!
And don't forget the little ones who live just at your feet
Johnny Jump Ups and violets bring a purple sweet.
And if it's fragrance that you want I have the perfect plants
Lavender buds so soft and warm make me dream of France.
And now there's all the herbal ones that when they start to blossom
Just snip the flowers from the top and in your salad toss 'em!
Oregano and lemon balm chamomile and thyme
Add a little bit of zest lemon and even lime!
So when I make my summer salad, I take my big, round bowl
And walk around my garden green for a little stroll.
I sprinkle all the petals in, the biggest and the least
It turns into a festival, a colorful, happy feast!
And when I gently snip the flowers in evening summer light
I say a thank you to each one for sharing their beauty bright.
You too can grow a little garden in spring or summer heat
And you'll discover all the fun flowers you can eat!

written by Christine Summerfield/July 2016