Uprooting the Wild Root

A stubborn dandelion root had forced its way through a fissure between two heavy concrete slabs, splitting the stone bed. Sturdy ground cannot tolerate creeping weeds tearing at its joints. I didn't skirt it. Dropping to one knee, I jammed the sharpened curved pick of my poleaxe deep into the seam beside the taproot. I braced both feet against the rough masonry and levered back with a steady heave. The deep root snapped free with a dull pop, tearing loose with a clump of damp loam. I kicked the broken weed aside and smoothed the grit back into the gap with the flat of my blade. The flagstone seam sits tight once more.