the underground
difficult to exterminate
pockets of bulbs and bulblets
with skins that defy
killing chemistries
wild garlic is the resistance
erupting in the midst
of fascist lawns
spoiling the effect
of deadly conformity
the plant’s tough tendrils
make a fist of opposition
to monocultures
save eyes blinded
by ganzfeld fescue
diversity is wild garlic’s slogan
its soul democracy
wild garlic rallies around
lifegiving ecologies that do not require
military round-up
or mower mass beheadings
to keep order
the garlic’s revolutionary message
is bitter but sustains hearts
unlike grass
it’s edible
a spice in melting pots
with mixtures of philosophy
—
Martin Settle (Charlotte, NC) has taught English for 32 years, the last 17 at UNC Charlotte. Mr. Settle has published a teaching memoir, art design book, joke book, four poetry books, and a forthcoming early-years memoir.
