Dandelion Greens

It is nearly that time again when my mom  and I used to go digging dandelion greens.  She loved  them and so do I.  Nobody in my household now seems to like them, however.  Their loss. I'll dig some for myself.



                                                   You had to use just the right knife,
                                                       and dig the right depth
                                                    to make sure you got just enough
                                                        of the root so the leaves would not
                                                     break apart and make a mess.
                                                        Years of practice made her
                                                     right every time, but I had to
                                                         keep trying with the hope
                                                      of getting her approval.
                                                         Cleaning them took skill, too--
                                                      gently scraping bits og dirt,
                                                          or wilted leaves before washing them.
                                                       Once cleaned and examined for
                                                          small bugs, they were ready
                                                       to be dropped into the boiling water.
                                                           The slight bitter greeness was
                                                       topped with butter, or perhaps a
                                                           capful of vinegar  that gave
                                                       Grandpa Les his evening meal.