Black-eyed Susan and Sweet William

"Never pick a black-eyed susan," Grandma Martin told me, reminding me more than once. I never knew for sure why exactly. It had something to do with an old myth turned-poem from England. Black-eyed Susan and Sweet William were lovers, according to the poem. According to Grandma's interpretation of the poem and the myth combined, if one planted sweet william and black-eyed susan seeds at the same time, they would grow and bloom at the same time. Maybe then, just maybe, if I picked a black-eyed susan, or if anyone did, then sweet william would be alone. Grandma clearly did not want that for the two eternal lovers.

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