Roadside Asters

Wild aster, bee balm, hyssop, crisp chrysanthemum
Proclaim bold purple in the pallid dawn,
Asserting there's more blossoming to come,
More purple in the prickling thistle thorn,
More purple in the valley's swirling haze;
Even the robin's shadow on the lawn,
Even your welcome of the dew, your praise,
Proclaim bold purple in the pallid dawn.
Yes, purple is the color of your need
To have your mood made manifest, your final flair
Before October's culminating leaves exceed
In parting opulence the purple air
Of royalty that radiates about your head,
Your master of mourning everywhere
You move to make purple hymn to hum:
Wild aster, bee balm, hyssop, crisp chrysanthemum.

Late Summer Purple, by Robert Pack


When the asters start blooming along the roadsides it always makes me think about how great it would be to marry that woman I live with. Even though I already did. I could do it over again every year and still feel giddy.