Native blackberry vines advance
like Putin’s army, fast!
Reaching out a foot a day,
Leaving behind long green feeders,
vulnerable to my gauntleted hands.
HA! I pull you up.
I am more than a match for you every time,
but there will always be a next time
and every time you draw some blood.
You will be here long after I’m gone
unless I resort to Roundup.

2022