Fearsome Embrace Poem by gershon hepner

The fearsome embrace of the weeds strangles flowers
that grow in the garden when spring
restores to new life the perennials whose powers
can’t overcome nettles that sting.
You’d think that a nettle could not cause a blister
in plants as it does to the skin,
but you’re wrong as I bitterly learned when I kissed her
and saw how she’d shriveled within.
Though she smiled I could see that another had strangled
the feelings I once had inspired,
for she had been bitten by new love that dangled
new promises. Mine had expired,
aborted by weeds that now grew in her garden.
Oh isn’t it fair to compare
my rivals who take her without begging pardon
to vegetables causing despair?

Inspired by the last three lines of “Vanishing Point” by Hugh Cobb:

For long after structures have crumbled to dust
nature will reclaim every brick & stone & shard of glass
with stone crushing roots & a fearsome embrace of viridian.

3/1/06