sneaking in behind
swath ornamental grass
tall green stalks
invaded edge of backyard
I saw them growing
thought them a weed, unknown
needing pulling
but I put off entering
chiggerland
told myself
after a killing freeze
I’d deal with them

then yellow flowers bloomed
bees and butterflies supped
and I pondered—
what if I’d yanked them
when they first had
the audacity to invade
I wouldn’t have witnessed
this sunny show

I have been the weed
I have been the goldenrod
torn from what anchored me
tossed aside
like so much garbage
before I had the chance
to flower
and adding to the sadness
of it all
the killing was often wrought
by my own
foolish hand

©2026 Kate Wolfe

Drawing is my own using micro pens and watercolor. Second image is my own photo of goldenrod free-ranging into my ornamental grass. (Posted on a previous blog.)