Rough and Tumble

The Kali tragus tumbleweed is known to city slickers
For rolling through the Wild West and bouncing on its stickers.
For many years, I had no clue the forb was such a pest.
(It can be food for livestock, but it’s really not the best.)

It came to South Dakota when the land was not a state.
The shipment was of flax, but there were more seeds in the crate.
The “prickly Russian thistle” reproduced with super speed.
Now several states are crippled by this dire invasive weed.

It takes a lot of nutrients intended for our crops.
On windy days, it sometimes comes so thick that traffic stops.
It’s painful to the touch and may produce allergic rashes.
It catches fire easily and turns the plains to ashes.

We haven’t yet discovered an efficient resolution.
A pitchfork picks them one by one, a sluggish execution.
Industrial equipment yields a higher risk of flame.
We’re losing to a plant on this; now that’s a cause for shame.