Hyacinths to Feed the Soul

There may be snow on the ground today, but the finance committee has already approved funding for the City's spring flowers.

How can a good, conservative finance committee approve funding for a frill such as this in a tight budget year?

Our reasoning:

• The $2172 approved represents only 38 percent of the $5754 spent last year on flowers.
• The cut-back means no annuals will be planted this year at the library, the boat harbor, Veterans' Hall, the pocket park, or the 500 East/Main Street island.
• Instead, the winter pansies will be nursed well into the warm season, and greater use will be made of perennials.

I can't say what was on the minds of the others, but as I voted to approve, I couldn't help remembering lines my mother taught me:

If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft
And but two loaves to thee are left,
Sell one, and with the dole
Buy hyacinths to feed the soul.