“When the winter chrysanthemums go
there’s nothing to write about
but radishes.”

In France and China white mums represent death and grief.
In India diminutive golden marigolds are thought to bring
happiness; red ones symbolize love, pink ones, affection.
Japan’s Imperial seal, the ornament of power, is the mum.
Homecoming corsages in school colors are meant to
offer success to students who would soon be making
their way in the world. So many meanings in the language
of flowers, words for these dazzling dense floral star clusters.
Why do we find some things more appealing than others
florals and frills more interesting than practicality
mums, more exciting than carrots, beets or potatoes?
Can you imagine beet greens on the gown of a prom queen?