In praise of petunias
The violet white
and pink flowers
of the petunia
a hardy plant from
the tobacco
species
the roots of its name
derive
from the tupi-guarani
language of Brazil
in which pety signifies
tobacco
it reached Europe
in the mid-16th century
whence petun
an old French word
for tobacco
its unassuming beauty
rises up
through the light
into the air
its powerful scent
was believed
to ward off
evil spirits
John Lyons
