right hand pointing

K e l l y   F o r d o n

 

Bitter Root

 

I put a seed 

into the ground 

and fertilized 

and watered it. 

It grew as noxious 

as a durian. 

Several people 

retched 

on the sidewalk. 

Later someone 

put up a sign 

warning passersby 

not to pass by. 

The door disappeared 

and the windows. 

No dead nettle 

this one. 

No ghost flower. 

No swishy horsetail. 

Mine was a bitter root, 

with leaves as sharp 

as tacks.