This is a weed–Milkweed. Milkweed is the host plant for the Monarch Butterfly. What you see in the photos is the flower turned to seed. The silky threads are almost ready to release to the wind which will carry the seeds to their new destination. Those seeds embedded themselves into the soil somewhere last fall, and soon the spring sun and rains will encourage them to grow. By summer, they will burst into tiny blooms offering butterflies a nourishing feast. If you were to happen upon a stand of Milkweed in the fall, you could easily pass them by because they look like tall dead stalks of brown. If you were to take time to be present with them, you would see their silky, almost animated, beauty.
I needed to spend some time gazing on these photos because today has been difficult. I’ve been reminded of some weedy times in my life. It’s been hard to see the good in those times. Milkweed encourages me to look closely and carefully, enabling me to see beyond the dead stalks to the seeds of life. That which appears dead and worthless will release; new life will come. It is always so in the spring. I can count on that. Impermanence; this too shall pass. I can also count on that.
What’s your weed to flower story? Come on, Encourage me.
