Luminous petals, lush Swirls of lustrous butter, magenta or snow white Sheltering a bulbous spiky yellow Center, I liked you before I knew your name Languid hairy stems, splayed leaves Beneath your heady blossoms An inner weed, tenacious, dangerous To be beautiful and bitter A floral femme fatale yet your name Ranunculus, a tongue twister Setting you apart from commonplace cousins spearwort and buttercups Setting you above supermarket specials roses and carnations Makes you my bright favorite