|
|
OUTLAWPOET
ZHANNA p. RADER
SPRING
marsh’s edge –
a sparrow swings on a stem
of virginia wild rye
Elymus virginicus – a short-lived grass
scribner’s panic grass –
now that it’s safe from the cattle,
greening lushly
Panicum oligosanthes scribnerianum, is a cool-season grass
that has low laying branches and produces
reddish-purple stigmas
that are covered with fine hairs.
prairie brome
and its soft-drooping flower heads –
how humble it looks!
Bromus kalmii, is a cool-season grass that can be found
growing in small clumps
as well as individually and grows 2'- 3' tall.
SUMMER
a swallowtail
lands on a blue aster –
canada wild rye nods
Elymus canadensis, is a dominent grass of the prairies.
dry season -
the indian grass
point to the sky
Sorghastrum nutans, is a striking native perennial
that is a major species of the tall grass prairie.
my child
on a sand hill of june-grass –
her silvery-green bouquet
Koeleria cristata, this cool season native perennial grass
is usually seen on dry prairies, sandhills and open woods.
FALL
a wind gust –
side-oat-grama seeds
cloud the view
Side Oat Grama
-Bouteloua
curtipendula,
this native grass can be found on well-drained soils.
a ladybird -
struggling through the bristles
of bottlebrush-grass
Hystrix patula, a native woodland prairie grass
that will thrive in moderate shade.
prairie dropseed:
fountains of slender leaves,
its show of gold and copper
Sporobolus heterolepis, is one of the most
attractive warm season prairie grasses
that is very drought resistant.
WINTER
wintering prairie –
the little-bluestem
is rusty red
mouse tracks on snow
between tufts of needle grass –
the whistle of a train
snow-covered prairie –
the switch grass of pheasants
is now cows’ sweet hay
Switch Grass attracts birds and butterflies
Panicum virgatum
OUTLAWPOETS
