Panicum virgatum

Shall I call it switchgrass

or tall panic grass – the place

I hide when gauchos gallop 

onto our ranch bearing

the cowhide of last night’s dinner?

What of blackbent 

or Wobsqua grass – 

should I imagine a wobbling 

or an obsequious squaw? or a bent-

backed, dark-skinned blade?

Panicum virgatum

sounds to me like a virgin panicking 

faster than she can run

from an evil vir lusting after 

her thatchgrass.

Mostly I long

for end of season when green

ripens to brown &

everyone, knowers of grasses or not,

labels it wild redcap.