Dandelions

Invasive

 

Dandelions
© 2008 Mark Pearce

I reach down deep inside myself to pluck dandelions.

I like the herb to dot my yard in single digits

but its deoxyribonucleic acid does not abide.

 

Perhaps, if the wind blew just right

all the dandelions in the world would end up

within one, three foot square.

 

I could take that.   All the dandelions

in one place where I could visit them.  Like a zoo.

I’d even enjoy blowing at the poof balls then,

spreading flighty seed over that ordained, three foot square.

Helping the dandelion keepers just by

pursing my lips and huffing. 

 

As it is dandelions need no keepers,

at least within the confines of my yard.

Bees is all they need,

with a grace of wind.

 

When I reach down within myself to pluck dandelions

I know I am launched on endless task –

a battle between genera that I can never quite win.

 

You advise that I lather my yard with

triazine herbicide.

I could easily eliminate the yellow pox that way,

you say.

 

But the battle waged through conscript

would not have me reach within myself

in quite the same way.

 

And I wouldn’t see dandelions when I close my eyes. 

Author's Note

As you can see, I don't do chemicals.

Reviews

[Nicole Clarice Anna Wie..]

i loved the flow and wording in this poem. and im so glad your not into chemicals - haha - i think we need not poison our world anymore. i love the whole idea behind this. im in aw. but i think what i loved most is the use of "big words" so to speak. DNA and triazine herbicide. Brilliant :) I shall read on. i enjoy your style

[Donald Meikle]

If you pick them before they flower they are not too bitter tasting, salad dressing makes them bearable. As to chemicals, well let that lie.

[Liam]

That was a lovely poem, and did you know that every part of the Dandelion.

[Orlando Murcia]

Its a very cool poem. I enjoyed it

[Shutter Speed]

A terrific and heartwarming poem!!! The perfect metaphor in the perfect chain of events, but somehow mixed up enough to resemble a person's thoughts. Outstanding!

[holly]

Probably one of the only poems to use "deoxyribonucleic acid" and do it elegantly! There's so much to admire about this poem that I hardly know where to start - it's a solid structure, it leads one inward line by line. Its imagery is consistent and the repetition of "reach down within myself" drives the poem home.
Thanks for its thoughtful construction, emotional reach and lovely conclusion.

[JC]

Well if you let them go, you could have a sea of yellow, then it wouldn't matter.

I like the analogies, like fighting windmills. Along with the fact that you are "chemical" free.

JC

[Emily B]

Dandelions and butterflies and the smell of a freshly turned field are the catalysts for a momentary adventure.

I like your philosophy. Dandelions are about all that I can get to grow in my yard. And blackberries.