the unfamiliar eye
sees ivy in lush green
gracefully winding around
the roots of trees,
filling in the gaps
between fence posts
like a natural beauty
graces the run down
neighborhood offering
vigorous insight
behind its cover

but those who have seen
the beauty intertwined
with the established
living sleepily for years
know the sting on skin,
the unrelenting grip
with the slow strangle
snaking its way around
forever spreading even
once pulled in all ways
returning forever more
no matter your efforts
to leave the war behind