William C. Ross’ most recent poem to appear here was “Curtain” (March 2017)

Late Bloomer
By William C. Ross

What’s your story, morning glory?
Aren’t we a tad dilatory?
The sunflowers flowered with the sun,
And you’re still curled at half-past-one.

A rose arose with a sweet aroma,
And here you are in floral coma.
That bright orange bugle-boy, trumpet vine,
Played the call to rise and shine.

The poppy popped up, hale and hearty,
About the time we marked you tardy.
Daybreak just could not break faster
For Lady Slipper and Lord Aster.

Where flowers grow is called a bed,
But that’s no excuse for a sleepyhead—
No excuse, indeed, for the dilatory.
So, what’s your story, morning glory?