Zinnias

Flirting at me
with their lipstick-colored faces
and punk-style haircuts,
Tossing their spiky heads
in the breeze,
they boast to me -
They are not shy wallflowers
destined to remain among
the drab zucchinis and pale pole beans.
They smile, and beckon me
to pluck a few from the garden
and drop them in a mason jar -
Delighted to bring
the carefree joys of summer
into the kitchen.