——Our Lady of the Resurrections, Cat Charissage, May 2014
FAITH
I believe in weeds.
I know, heresy! It’s not the first time I’ve been called a heretic.
But, really, look at them:
no matter how you cut them down, dig them up, or try to kill them,
you still get —-
weeds!
Ya’ gotta love that tenacity — that resilience.
I know I do.
Take crabgrass, hated by homeowners everywhere.
Well, I’ll take it!
First up in spring, first up after a mowing,
so bright green and luscious, screaming “Here I am!”
Or the chickweed growing in the cracks of my driveway.
Little green leaves like a natural carpet —
Drive-in food — I pull into my driveway, lean over,
and pick my salad greens for dinner.
Even the price is right.
It was a long winter this year.
It was hard to believe that spring would ever return.
But finally, in May, Mother Earth resurrected
And right after grass came up green, we had:
Dandelions!
I love dandelions.
You can eat their leaves and their flowers;
and their roots can cure just about anything that ails you.
They’re the first bouquet given by little boys to grateful mothers,
their bright yellow smiling out from the green grass.
When my boy was little, I showed him how
to blow the seeds as we ambled down the sidewalk,
so that everyone could have such beautiful dandelions
right in their front yards!
Well, not really —- but I sure wanted to!
Mother Earth, carrier of the life, death, life cycle,
You did it again this year.
May I learn from your ways and rise again, and again,
and again when I’m cut down by the world.
Our Lady of the Resurrections,
I have faith that you bring life
after even the longest winter.
I’ve seen it.
Our Lady of the Resurrections,
I believe in weeds.
——Cat Charissage, May 2014
Mysteries Unfolding with Cat Charissage 
Funny, but I could hear your voice in this poem. I’ve always loved that intense jolt of yellow as one of the first fruits of Spring. Thanks Cat and I’ll sit with you anytime!
I think that if you could hear my voice, then this poem really does reflect my inner voice! Thanks for the confirmation, Pat
Yes! Powerfully true and beautiful!
While much of the geography of Texas is harsh, there are so many tenacious survivors (even if most of them have prickles and thorns)! I have always admired and received the metaphor of the tenacious survivors. My mom said “There are no weeds in Texas — only wild flowers and plants.” And we rise again!
Yeah, I know what you mean, Becky. Nettle may be good for you in a tea, but actually harvesting them can be a little tricky. I love deserts, though, b/c, as you say, you see tenacious survivors right in front of you. Rather inspiring. Thanks so much for commenting. Love,
Cat
Cat, this is wonderful! Your poem, your painting are such a sweet reflection of the time we are in right now. Thank you! Rachel Anne
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Rachel. I have to admit that I just LOVE doing the painting. I’m learning to give myself more time for the things I love, but it’s hard because there really are only 24 hours in a day. ThanksCat