Poetic response to the “Eyesore” prompt:
What To Do About the Bamboo
In our neighborhood
there was a patch of bamboo
along my two-mile walking route.
Thick and dark
between the stalks called out
a mysterious vibe.
Tall—but not a tree
this species of grass
had towering fan-like leaves.
I marveled at the density
preventing access
a barrier of vegetation.
Property owners living
adjacent to the strip
filed complaints with the HOA
about the invasive nature
as roots swam underground
rapidly spreading wild.
Landscapers attacked
with chain saws in hand
slicing the stems to the earth
chopping and digging
growth was demolished
until barren ground remained.
Perhaps property owners are glad
encroachment has ended
but bamboo was a prettier view!
My poetry inspiration generally comes from everyday life, family, memories, and nature. When I saw the prompt “eyesore”, a section of thick bamboo in our neighborhood that had been recently removed came immediately to mind. What a fun topic!
Stanza is Another Name for Room- I played around with the stanza format of the poem until writing in tercets seemed to flow best.
Lois Perch Villemaire of Annapolis, MD is the author of “My Eight Greats,” a family history in poetry and prose and “Eyes at the Edge of the Woods” (Bottlecap Press). She is a contributing writer to AARP The Ethel. Lois, a Pushcart nominee enjoys researching genealogy and propagating African violets.
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