Iris put on her purple robe, her yellow crown, and popped up to address her kingdom

Iris put on her purple robe, her yellow crown, and popped up to address her kingdom.  It had been a long winter, and her people were in need of a little encouragement.

She did this every year at the beginning of spring.

She smiled. "Sometimes," she said to herself, the world needs a little reminder of what is lovely and fine."

Iris knew that she was little more than a figurehead, but she also knew that when she appeared that life took on a different attitude.

Suddenly people began to smile. There were picknicks in the park and lovers holding hands.  Children started to play outside; the dogs would be barking, and pleasantries, between people, would be spoken as they passed.

Iris stood tall in her purple robe and crown, and as the wind blew she smiled, and she bowed,