The Spiral – a poem

Colin Cafferty

Down there amongst
The purple roots
Pushing through dirt
Lies the reason for
Why I was born

Remember the kid
Blowing fluffy white
Clouds on a breeze
Carrying a wish
No doubt too sweet

They called you weed
So I stamped you down
To green the lawn
And lift me up
Out of my pain

It hurts to know
You don’t belong
On manicured lawns
Or roadside verges
We’ll find our place

You opened my eyes
Told me your name
Tooth of lion
You roared at me
Look at my leaves!

Greens for salad
Roots to brew tea
I’ll give you all
Just don’t forget
I’m more than a weed

You told me to go
Forth on the breeze
Seed a new field
With hope and dreams
Braver new world

Wilted and bald
You’ve given it all
Shown me the way
Changed who I am
My warrior weed