time spent lost in Pueblo
my grandfather stood by my side
asking me to take him back to
his grave--I had no
good bearings and woke up cold

in other clime or strange direction
another snow had stumbled in
plants and other lovers were
dying or faded reproach--none
of my boots fit or could be found

rude elbows jostled heedless
and without apology I opened closets
or sought a room that had no walls
far from the grandpa at my side
betrayed and a silly wraith.

and I woke up cold.

Sorry, this is all I got:

The Daily Spurge and a New Station of the Cross

Euphorbia myrsinites—Myrtle Spurge—sounds fearsome, eh?  And indeed it is, and stubborn and prolific and nastily persistent.  Odd way to describe a plant that, according to my mad Wikipedia research skillz, is a-okay in England, since it was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.  What do they know, huh?

Cultivation of this dear little plant is illegal in Colorado.  As a landowner, I am legally required to eradicate it.  Myrtle Spurge does very well in a dry climate or xeriscape—too well, I’m afraid.  It spreads easily and quickly, and is an invasive threat to native ecosystems.  The Spurge itself contains a milky sap  that is very toxic, and can cause skin and eye irritation.  Animals won’t graze on the stuff, although, given my urban location, the culprit must’ve been that danged horse manure I mentioned in the last post.  I mean, I ended up with many prairie-style weeds, so it seems likely.  Granted, according to many sources, the plant can shoot seeds 10 to 15 feet.  That’s impressive.  

Not knowing it’s illicit status, I allowed it to grow in glorious clumps, proudly displaying it’s yellow and red flowers, front yard and back.  And, my city noticed.  I received a letter warning to eradicate it in 10 days, or they would send a private entity out (at my cost) to deal with it.  I was told to call a number and “inform” them of my eradication plan.  I called, and told them my “plan” was simple:  tear the freaking stuff out.  Contrast this with the authorities in Boulder County who recently held a “Purge the Spurge Day.”  Homeowners were invited to bring bags of spurge in and receive, in gratitude, plants of a more benign nature.  Cool idea, huh? They collected 2.55 tons. This is how you do it...

Well my city and county likes the punitive approach.  I had the stuff dug up and thrown away in a matter of hours.  Not easily, because spurge has stubborn tap roots and that icky, caustic sap.  Hence the title of this blog.  Myrtle Spurge has a soil seed reserve of at least 8 years.  It’s been 2 years since I rooted all the crap out.  Each spring I find little seedlings, hidden in my Artemesia, crouching in my Lemon Balm, boldly arching up amidst the Sweet Alyssum.  And so on and so on.  It is a daily thing.  So say hello to this new Station of the Cross.  Only 6 or 7 years to go!

Next:  More on the initial Tilth plans