It "Poked" a Hole!

  You see some mighty strange things here on the Bayou.  I suppose that holds true for most any place if folks just take the time to actually see things.  I do.  Just today, something a bit weird was found down in the marsh near the mudflats.  While Son was tending to the old skiff, I took it upon myself to gather other people's trash from the marsh.  We take care of the marsh since it is literally our front yard but some people have no qualms about tossing trash into the water.  It makes me sad since all of this junk washes up in the marsh and, hence, our yard.  In total, I picked up three beer cans, nine water bottles, seven assorted other drink bottles, four Styrofoam plates, three glass bottles, two empty fishing line spools, the top of a toolbox , one gallon bleach bottle and one torn life preserver that was strewing foam sheets about the place with each wave.  This is a weekly task and since I do not traipse about in the marsh, the trash gathered is only what can be reached from the pier using a long handled scoop net.  I can easily see enough junk to fill another trash bag but cannot reach it.  It makes me disgusted with those who litter our waters.  As sad as it seems, I have even had to go so far as to ban some (not immediate) family members from the pier due to littering the marsh.  Funny thing, they were quite appalled when I suggested that I dump trash in their front yard.  I guess it just doesn't sink in to some thick heads.

  But even with all of the saddening finds, one thing stood out as interesting. A lot of boards also were strewn about the marsh. One of these boards had sprouted a thing of beauty if you can call a toxic plant beautiful.  A Poke Weed (I am assuming here merely by the color) had sprouted and grew up between a small crack in the board.  As the plant grew, the hefty plank was nigh on split asunder.  The plant does indeed resemble a Poke Weed with its bright red stalk but the leaves look a bit withered.  Surely the brackish water has enough salt to be detrimental to the health of the plant.  Still, it is growing strong even with salt-burned leaves.  

  The Poke Weed, even though toxic to humans and most mammals, does supply birds with a nice supply of berries.  We shall see if this one is able to produce in its inhospitable surroundings.  Oh, and add one plastic oil container to that list of trash.  Son was able to fish that one from the marsh as well.