Consider the buttercup— It has nothing to do— To be is enough For the buttercup Also by this author Voices Get Commonweal’s latest, delivered twice weekly. Email address Published in the 2010-07-16 issue: View Contents Recommended for you The Importance of Being a Burden By Cathleen Kaveny July 30, 2026 Imitation of Life By Dorothy Fortenberry August 5, 2026 ‘They Don’t Want to Say Yes’ By Phyllis Zagano July 28, 2026