Primrose, flower of early youth

Born of weary winter's decay,
They found the summer's bounty.
Celebrating spring's fresh birth,
They garland bright the bare earth.
Mirroring how they are grown,
Heat limped, shade lank, snail torn.
Though those that soft dews nurture
Will reward with fresh verdure.
Plump clumps laugh with their fellows
Sheltered 'neath wise oak shadows.
Thick, tight with green life, leaves burst
Forth veiny as tongues. They last
Far longer than all the blooms,
Those careless sweets too soon doomed.
Now their nest of cupped egg buds
Open glowing golden hoods.
From each bright star spread kirtles
Of creamy heart-shaped petals.