Poem of the Day: "War on Dandelions" by Carol Hamilton, Poet of the Month

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review is pleased to present "War on Dandelions" by Carol Hamilton, Poet of the Month.  Ms. Hamilton will also be serving as the guest judge for the Songs of Eretz Poetry Award Contest which will run from September 1 to October 15, 2015.  A detailed biography of Ms. Hamilton may be found here:  http://eretzsongs.blogspot.com/2015/08/songs-of-eretz-poetry-review-poet-of.html.  The contest guidelines may be previewed here:  http://eretzsongs.blogspot.com/p/songs-of-eretz.html.

War on Dandelions

Carol Hamilton

 

The pretty devils smirk up at me

right after my shower.

My back still aches

from cutting out this morning's crop,

spraying strong vinegar on the roots.

Two hours, maybe?

New ones are chuckling,

and I remember long ago.

The children and I drove away

so pleased with our all-green lawn,

came home later to drop-jaw sight,

little yellow faces everywhere.

I bought sprayings for no plant pests,

but no bees either.

And yes, their fuzzy heads are pretty,

but their sprung-free bald pates

mid-summer triple the mowings.

I've won a few skirmishes,

even did victory laps,

held a few parades.

Still, the outcome is uncertain.

Perhaps I should be a gracious loser

like Robert E., tip my hat

and ride away with dignity intact.

But then the sun rises

and I swear......

     

            Not yet! Not yet!

Poet's Notes:  This poem reflects the joyous daily battle I wage with the forces of evil in my yard! Sometimes I think many weeds have perverse wills and wily ways working overtime to outdo me. Someone once suggested to me that a lawn of blooming dandelions can be beautiful, and I do like to live in the world as naturally as I am able. But every few years I decide perhaps I can win a few battles in hand-to-hand combat towards a more orderly landscape. Of course, the battle is a conceit, and the mention of Robert E. Lee at the end of the poem indicates my resignation. And yet, somehow, the old will to win keeps returning.

Editor's Note:  I enjoy the way the poet weaves rhyme and assonance into the free verse here as with shower & hours, and aches, spray, maybe, away, faces, sprayings, pates, parades, gracious, & away.  I also share the poet's mixed feelings about dandelions in the lawn.  "War on Dandelions" was originally published in The Grey Sparrow.