IN PRAISE OF THE CREEPING BELLFLOWER

 

Campanula rapunculoides

Creepy colonist of asphalt cracks, green
grower in pea gravel, your sole sin
is surviving and thriving where folks prefer
not to behold pale purple bells ringing
in the breeze. Wringing hands, gardeners
enamoured of clean lines and order
bemoan your flagrant seed-and-rhizome
spread, your tenacious clasp, that knack for digging
in, for hanging on, for making home
wherever you set foot, no matter
how much shade we cast upon your nodding
heads and saw-blade leaves. You’re here, for better,
for worse, pretty bluebell, rugged rampion,
and our task is to fashion your welcome.