This poem is called a Sestina. It follows a very particular pattern over 39 lines. The first six sentences end with words that are used all throughout the poem in a very distinct pattern unlike any other type of poetry. It can be hard to pull off without sounding horribly redundant.

Dandelion sweet

1. Oh sweet yellow dandelion high upon the hill.
2. I love how your beauty brings pollen to the bees.
3. You tell of warm spring days as they come about.
4. The sun warms the winter away while breezes blow.
5. Your cheery little petals turn to puffs that float in the air.
6. The magic that you carry to children and adults alike.
7. Not a single flower begins to even look alike.
8. They are plentiful in the spring time covering every hill.
9. The pollen from the flowers bring fertility to the air.
10. Life is spread from flower to flower by the busy bees.
11. Some days are warm and still while others cold breezes blow.
12. They send petals flittering and flying all about.
13. More flowers fill the branches in the tress all about.
14. Maybe we are different and don’t think much alike.
15. But few can resist to take a dandelion puff and blow.
16. The dandelions cover all the land, the king of the hill.
17. They are vital to the springtime and to all the bees.
18. Their fluff covers vast swathes of land and floats in the air.
19. The coolness and the freshness of the wind fills the air.
20. A jacket is sometimes need, to wrap around the shoulders about.
21. On cooler days you don’t see any bugs or bees.
22. But on warmer days many insects but around alike.
23. Children run around wildly up and down every hill.
24. They too pick the dandelions and they also proceed to blow.
25. They make wishes for long days and happiness as they blow.
26. The contrast of the cool spring days with the warm bursts of air,
27. Stirs life to spurn throughout the woods and each hill.
28. The deer frolic in the meadows all round about.
29. They have little tiny fawns, and other animals have babies alike.
30. Hives are buzzing wildly with the yellow and black bees.
31. They too are reproducing, feeding baby bees.
32. Once again a gust of wind does begin to blow.
33. Squirrels scurry inside their holes and over the ground alike.
34. The sounds of birds sweet songs carry through the air.
35. As I trudge through the lush green grass all about,
36. I climb to survey all that is below on the tallest hill.
37. Even there the bees swarm around and buzz through the air.
38. Gentle gusty breezes blow tossing blades of grass about.
39. I’m glad spring is here alike, high upon my hill.

© 2025 Stephanie Blomquist