Stop treating us like a lawn 

Trimming the grass 

Adjusting the lawnmower’s height 

Sprinkling bags of weed and feed 

Attempting to even out our growth. 

We cannot be manicured. 

Let us have a few dandelions 

Who follow the sun 

Bees circling their blooms 

Worms, slugs, spiders, and caterpillars. 

How about a fern or two? 

Rhododendrons, fawn lilies, and western azalea? 

Don’t edge us too neatly 

Making perfect lines in our relationship. 

It makes me feel like  

I want to run off with a common ragwort 

And cuddle up with a couple of creeping thistles. 

Don’t even think about Barkdust! 

Toss away the keep off the grass sign 

And let’s mess up the flowerbeds.