L. pulmonarialg

STEP LIGHTLY ON YOUR LIVERWORT

No exquisite blossom to delight you in the Spring

But a quiet mediocrities this raspy bryophyta brings

Why is the corrugated interloper, so supine

puckered green and brown, much maligned.

Languishing dejected, unique and bizarre.

This raspy liverwort – sometimes black as tar.

That austere scabrous plant, survivor extraordinaire

Growing for it’s own sake, requiring no care

on sodden barren ground – requires only air.

Insects do not relish it, slugs just slip away.

So step lightly on your liverwort. Let it stay.

Every garden needs liverwort to remind the human race

Someday you’ll be wrinkled with warts upon your face

(C) Janet Logg  given to me for my ‘Bindweed’ magazine 1994