Ode to the Goathead Thorn

[RolliePollie]

Ode to the Goathead Thorn
by Sara

Goathead weed with sharpest of thorn
You’re not my friend; I’m very forlorn
Tribulus Terrestris or Puncturevine
Whatever they call you will do just fine
Beside the roads that I do ride
Your spikey thorns do lurk and hide
With flowers of gold and leaves of green
You’re one of the prettier weeds I’ve seen
You spread across the soil and dirt
Just waiting to cause me grief and hurt
Growing there, so innocent and mild
No one would guess you’re evil and wild
You need no water, with sun you thrive
You’ll live where nothing else can survive
You grow and grow, you will not stop
Your thorns they make my tires go pop
Right through the rubber on my tire
You poke your spike and my tubes expire
As summer winds down and fall draws near
You’re strong as ever and I’m filled with fear
That as I’m riding by tomorrow
My heart will be filled with flat tire sorrow
So please be kind and hold back your wrath
Keep your bleeping thorns out of my path!


p.s. thank you to latelatebloomer for inspiring me to post my poem. Her poem was great...good positive energy. As mine is not so positive, I felt it needed it's own thread so as not to hijack hers.

[silver]

very nice! I can really feel your emotion!

[Tri Girl]

nice poem- although a not so nice topic. I, too, loathe the goatheads that prickle my tire so- but am not so wordsy to put it to such nice rhythm and prose.
Nicely done! :D

[IFjane]

Great poem! We do not have goatheads here in VA - at least, not here where I live, but I usually encounter at least one on the Cherry Creek bike path in Denver - especially out near the reservoir. Never a fun time - the flat is always on the rear tire and always somewhere where there are NO TREES TO SHADE ME. :mad:

[Flybye]

I have to print this out! It's fantastic!

We have goatheads everywhere - literally every road that I ride with the exception of the really well manicured neighborhoods has goatheads. I don't ride through those much. It's pretty rural here (I can get to the other side of town on my bike in about 8-10 minutes!) With three kids and my 3 bikes plus DH's bike, we have a grand total of 7 bikes or 14 tires - lots of fun for the goathead beasts!

Thanks for the laugh -

[TsPoet]

I love it! I'd like to send it to my local bike clubs email newsletter. A) may I? B) if I may, how would you like credited for it (PM me if you'd like).
Great poem.

[RolliePollie]

I love it! I'd like to send it to my local bike clubs email newsletter. A) may I? B) if I may, how would you like credited for it (PM me if you'd like).
Great poem.

TsPoet - I sent you an PM. Please feel free to share my ridiculous poem with anyone you'd like!

Hmmm, maybe I should add a verse about the goathead that got stuck in my bare foot. No, that would contain far too many swear words!

[CorsairMac]

ROFLMAO!!! I'll have to share that with my dogs!! The goatheads have decided my backyard is their new home and the dogs are Not Happy!!!

[SadieKate]

TE may need to publish a book of poems.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=3944

[Wahine]

I met the goathead for the first time this spring. No goatheads where I'm from but lots of them where I live now. I've had more bleeping flats this year than I have in the previous 12 years roadbiking!! Oh I feel your pain. I will be sharing this poem with some of my new riding buddies.

[teigyr]

I don't know the goatheads and I think I don't want to.

Great poem though :D