Vermin of the Garden

An Ode to a Weed: Vermin of the Garden

Contributed by Nan Potts

Oh verdant plant, whose color glows brighter than yon edibles
that, by right, are suited for this fertile plot.
Yet, knowing your fate, you intrude.
Like nocturnal vermin, you creep, insidiously,
into my efforts of produce
and steal space and victuals from them.
Thy are then banished and yet, thou returns.
How cheeky!
So sneaky!
I curse thee!
My tools drawn,
I advance toward thee to be removed, again!
Do not spite me, oh garden fiend!
I cry,
“Out, foul vermin!
Leave my garden and return not!
Thy prowling roots hungrily siphon life giving nutrients from loamy soil,
hoarding energy required by productive neighbors.
Out, out!”


With soiled hands, I gather my weaponized tools.
The rickety barrow creaks and dances a swaying jig
As I shove it forward to the unforgiving compost.
Full to the brim, the barrow’s burden is lighter than it looks,
A lively walk, gaining momentum the closer I come.
With a grunt and a sigh,
I watch the culprits
tumble down
into the abyss.
Such are the spoils of war with the garden vermin.