Stars of dandelions

This evening on a nature trail I saw dandelions on the side, one beckoning. I bent over, slid my fingers under it and lifted, cradling tender bloom in my palm.

Rather than make a wish, I gave it a kiss and blew it into the world, an act of gratitude.

As I turned to watch each seed sail off in an orange sunset breeze, I saw stars shooting across the universe’s starry sky.

Solitary dandelion on trail at Fanning Springs state park, Florida