Grass
Grass is a common plant with slender leaves and the tenacity to grow almost anywhere. Grass is an important part of our lives even though we often take it for granted. In Robert Heinlein's book "Stranger in a Strange Land," Michael, the human who was born and raised on Mars, is hesitant to step on the grass when he first sees it, because after all, "these live." Grass is all around us and is not merely a weed to be mowed down and stomped on. Any child knows the joy of rolling in a lush field of tall grass that has never been mowed. Grass is the main reason we think of Nature as being green. Yes, trees make up much of it, but think about all the fields and backyards, and prairies where no trees grow. Without grass, they would be lifeless and dull.
As for lawn care, I think that is probably one of the stupidest American practices. Consider this: First, you spend money to water the lawn and make it grow. Then, you pay even more for a lawnmower to cut the grass, so you can water to make it grow some more. And if you use any kind of fertilizer to make it grow more then it is even more expensive. Some people spend more money on their lawn than on their family, and for what? A "lush" lawn doesn't give anything back to you. It won't save you any money on gas, food, or diapers. Moreover, let's face it, not many people really like going out and spending time pushing a machine around to cut the grass. Not to mention fixing the mower when it breaks. Many cities require you to cut your lawn so that the town looks "nice." To me, one of the ugliest sights on earth is a cut lawn or golf course. Mother Earth does not look good in a buzz cut.
Tall grass cushions a short fall from a bike or tree. When the wind blows across it trembles like a green sea, and sounds like the wind is whispering something to you. It smells like growth and freshness. The smell of a blade of grass often sparks memories of hide and seek at a friend's house, warm summer nights and sunny banks by a lake or river. Grass is the basis of all living things, the start of all food chains. From the grass we evolved and to it we shall return, as our bodies die, rot, and become fertilizer for the grass. But in spite of these pleasures many humans think that there is too much and treat it as a weed to be torn out and replaced with concrete. What feels better on bare feet, a hard sidewalk or soft cool grass? When I was younger, I always had grass stains on my jeans. Many times it was the proof that I had made that spectacular dive to catch a baseball, or helped win the game of Flag Football. I remember sitting on a roof watching the grass rolling like the ocean waves, wishing I could paint or draw the scene. I remember making tunnels through the tall grass and playing in them all day. Just a few weeks ago a friend of mine and I had a huge grass fight, chasing each other around and stuffing it down the others shirts. Concrete doesn't move with the wind. It really hurts if someone tackles you on it, or you fall from a bike. You can't tunnel through it. Grass give us all of this and more. The next time you see some grass, stop for a moment and think about how nice it is to have it. Maybe thank it once in a while for giving us so much. And next time, don't be so hasty to cut it down or replace it with some expensive flowers.