Never mind the weather, the texture of the soil 

or the mean person looking over your backyard fence;

if you’re going to pick the slugs from the lettuce bed,

give it a go. The mean neighbor won’t offer to help;

chances are your best friend won’t offer either. 

But once slug-free, crush some dry eggshells 

and scatter those around the edges of the bed.

See who dares cross that boundary. 

–Melva Sue