THE RELUCTANT KANSAS GARDENER
It is time again to mow the weeds.
One can fool themselves into thinking
it’s grass, but upon closer inspection
the truth is revealed. Early spring brings
forth an abundance of dandelions,
their golden flower so brilliantly bright.
A vile weed, this picture of beauty
will choke what little grass grows in its
presence. I mow them down, the blade beheading
them and as the mower passes, some stand
ridged, their bodies refusing to fall.
I feel no remorse as the death of these
“flowers” takes place, for in a day or two
for everyone cut, ten more will begin
to take its place. The battle to rid them
from what I call lawn is pointless because
in a few weeks, they disappear again
for the rest of the season. When they go,
I will turn to the thistle, the crabgrass
and the ragweed. Each of these holds its own
beauty. Why do we fight to remove these
from our sight to be replaced with simple
green of grass? Can a single blade of grass
or the culmination of many stand
up to our desire? What have these weeds
really done? We don’t kill the Peony
for bringing ants. We do not kill the rose
for scratching our skin with its thorns as we
brush by. Why are we so damn quick to judge?
Can the sedum bring as much joy to us
as the dandelion? Can the rose moss
or St John’s Wort? Maybe, for some of us.
I suppose there will never be a place
in our hearts for the cute dandelion,
but I’m sure that will not deter them from
flashing their yellow smile to us each spring.
Kraig Dafoe is an English Major at Washburn University. His publications include two novels and poetry in various literary journals.
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