Colin Coleus
My name is Colin Coleus,
a leafy type of chap.
Some say, “Ooh, aren’t you folious?”
That’s ‘leafy’. Yes, I flap.
I’m also known by other names.
Flame nettle’s one of these.
My leaves, some reckon, look like flames!
I once scared several bees.
I’m not too fussy in my ways,
just like a daily drink,
a little sunshine through the days
to keep me green and pink.
Pinch out my tips, and I’ll become
a great big bush for you.
I’ll show you’ve quite the gardening thumb
and folks will cheer, “Woo-hoo!”
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a leafy type of chap.
Some say, “Ooh, aren’t you folious?”
That’s ‘leafy’. Yes, I flap.
I’m also known by other names.
Flame nettle’s one of these.
My leaves, some reckon, look like flames!
I once scared several bees.
I’m not too fussy in my ways,
just like a daily drink,
a little sunshine through the days
to keep me green and pink.
Pinch out my tips, and I’ll become
a great big bush for you.
I’ll show you’ve quite the gardening thumb
and folks will cheer, “Woo-hoo!”

This poem is copyright (©) Felicity Teague 2025

About the Writer
Felicity Teague
Felicity Teague (Fliss for short) lives in Cheltenham, not far from Pittville Park and its wonderful wildlife. She has a very serious job in publishing and enjoys writing poems during her playtime. Her poetry has appeared in a number of journals and two years ago she published a first collection, From Pittville to Paradise. Her second collection is due out next year. She also enjoys art, birdwatching, films, music, and photography.