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Enchanter's Nightshade by Gareth Writer-Davies

Circaea Lutetiana


is actually 
quite a dull little plant


and if the definition of a weed is a plant where it is not wanted
(descriptive and prescriptive) 
then 
it deserves its own entry


as usual 
Latin confuses (from Circe the witch) and the habit of growing in dark 
out-of-the-way places


it’s the common name 
that thrills 
evoking a charismatic figure stooped over a pot and stirring


there is not enough magic in the world
yet when pushed
to choose
we prefer the natural super
but tidy


and enchanting 
has come to mean delightfully charming  


words spread
coming up in unexpected places


follow the root
you may learn something

---

Gareth Writer-Davies is from Brecon, Wales. He was shortlisted for the Bridport Prize (2014 and 2017) and the Erbacce Prize (2014), Commended in the Prole Laureate Competition (2015) and Prole Laureate for 2017; Commended in the Welsh Poetry Competition (2015) and Highly Commended in 2017.

His work "Bodies" was published in 2015  by Indigo Dreams and "Cry Baby" came out 2017. “The Lover's Pinch" (Arenig Press) was published in June, 2018. His pamphlet “The End” is due out later this year.

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