On the fence line it grew

Coming anew, coming anew

I’d cut it down to size

I hadn’t yet opened my eyes

I eventually shifted gears

And started undoing all of the years

I was starting to see

More diversity

In the Greenhill

Was such a thrill

To be curious, unsure and learning

The Zizotes was deep and broad and old

And broke as I told

My booted shoe

To dig right through

The root I was yearning

I stumbled on

And gathered clues

From more experienced people

Back to the ground it goes

With shade, water, it regrows

Later the yard came up

And I noticed a friend

A different Zizotes on the mend

Back at the fence line

I let the yard try

To re-establish itself

Through the thick invasive spry

In summer I tried

To give space more

To expand, restore

An accident ensues

I cut it right off

I audibly scoff

My heart turn goos

I asked for some quiet

From my own little peeps

So I let myself

Feel connection and sadness

Asclepias oenotheroides, Zizotes Milkweed, emerging from our fenceline

Asclepias oenotheroides, Zizotes Milkweed, rescued with Native Plant Rescue Project from Greenhill Prairie and regrowing in the parkway at home

Asclepias oenotheroides, Zizotes Milkweed, cut down from our fenceline

---