When a co-worker bluntly told me, \u201cNobody loves the chaparral,\u201d it stopped me in my tracks. If this was true, then what was she trying to protect, and why had I moved across the country to help!?\u00a0 A few months in, I think I finally understand.<\/p>\n
Is the chaparral full of unique and interesting plants that play a vital role in the landscape?<\/p>\n
Definitely.<\/p>\n
Should it be preserved and protected from development?<\/p>\n
Of course, silly question<\/p>\n
BUT<\/p>\n
Is bushwhacking through dense chaparral a challenging and often disorienting task?<\/p>\n
Absolutely.<\/p>\n
Now, don\u2019t get me wrong. Crawling through the maze can be great.\u00a0 I pretend I\u2019m a contestant on The Amazing Race or playing a life-size video game.\u00a0\u00a0 Other times though, it has a face only a mother could love and I crave a more welcoming habitat.\u00a0 When my relationship with the chaparral was at its thorniest I wrote some poems to help work things out.<\/p>\n
Field Days<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Itchy, prickly burs<\/p>\n Goat grass in my underwear<\/p>\n Missing my gaiters<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Star Thistle<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Shiny yellow heads<\/p>\n Taunt me. Crouched. Weed wrench in hand.<\/p>\n Waiting for revenge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A Mother\u2019s Love<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Dense leaves, sharp stems shield<\/p>\n Tiny gems in a loving<\/p>\n Embrace. Chaparral.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Over and out.<\/p>\n Sophia Weinmann, El Dorado Hills, CA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When a co-worker bluntly told me, \u201cNobody loves the chaparral,\u201d it stopped me in my tracks. If this was true, then what was she trying to protect, and why had I moved across the country to help!?\u00a0 A few months … Continue reading