Art of Poetry’s Betty O’Hearn rejoices for the arrival of spring in this poem inspired by the Josephine Moretz Shipley Lauerman painting, an artwork in the Woman Made exhibit at Hickory Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of Roger and Ginny Sanford.

Betty O’Hearn
HAPPY FLAGS
After “Yellow Iris” by Josephine Moretz Shipley Lauerman

Greek God of the rainbow
Iris, you are loved.
You are the most beautiful flower,
with radiant colors of the rainbow.
But golden has power.
You burst up first in the garden
Stealing the full beauty of spring.
Odorless, remedial beekeeper,
you self seed.
Invading with green swords,
hold your flags high!