Folklore Friday: Daffodils

Contrary little sunshine death flower

Hello, friends! Who knew daffodils and narcissus were the same flower? I didn’t, until I started researching this month’s flower for our Folklore Friday poem.

Today’s whimsical poem is a little mishmash of some of the folklore and mythology surrounding this contrary little plant. See if you can spot the reference to the Victorian Language of Flowers (it’s easy, promise).

Photo by Niklas Ohlrogge on Unsplash

Daffodils

This yellow flower most contrary
Can bring delight or make you wary.

A bunch inside the house brings wealth
while one alone portends a death.

They say "the sun shines when I'm with you"
But forget not the plant is poison, too.

Yet should you find your soul's moved on,
they line the banks of Acheron.

A flower evoking joy and fear,
The daffodil returns each year.

(We won't bother with Narcissus.
His silly tale is superfluous.)

Sources: Icy Sedgwick and The Herb Shoppe PDX

Like reading stories about flowers? Flower & Cloak is my short story collection inspired by flowers and fairy tales–some made up, some well-known (flowers and fairy tales, that is). What if Snow White lived in medieval Wales and confronted the evil Queen? What if a fire-breathing dragon fell in love with a rain god? What if the Beast married before the curse? Click on the button below to find out more and purchase the ebook or paperback.

Thank you for reading this post! If you enjoyed it, please consider subscribing or sharing The Purple Vale. Your support means so much to me and really helps me out.