monkey grass herders

monkey grass or mondo grass

formally known as Ophiopogon

today
i'm out on the front lawn
where i used to play as a child,
and mow as a teenager.

my family grew up near
the san jacinto river
on a sandy hill
where a variety of
plants grow and
many do not.

one plant that grows
in abundance is
monkey grass
planted
to trim
and contain
beds of other plants.

monkey grass has a tendency to
multiply.

the whole side yard
has given way
to a small field of
monkey grass.

it occurred to me as i
helped my brother and my
mother accomplish
landscaping chores...

my family has spent a great
deal of time and energy
throughout my life
time
herding
the monkey grass.

thin it out here...
plant it over there
repeat the process!

we laugh
when we see small
pots of monkey grass
for sale at the
local nursery.

why...
we always ask...
would anyone
buy monkey grass?