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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