“Elegy to the Invasive Honeysuckle,” Poem, Madison Stokes.

The 1800s. Roots ripped

from your home in

East Asia and stuffed

into American soil.

Flagrant flowery features catch

"explorers" senses,

purple poignant poisonous

berries and all.

Control was the goal, a

collectable for gardeners,

rooted in developed land,

a meal for wildlife.

Though we mourn

the would’ve, could've,

should’ve, your traits

tell a different story.

Fragrance personified

as a cry, speaking to

us through one sense

alone.

Hollow pith, quick

pace fast growth,

arms never get a chance

to be filled.

Leaves set the tone

for spring and winter,

an internal clock set

to a different timezone.

Vines reaching

for 1st place—

You were never meant to

compete with nature.

God created all things, including the invasive.

Madison Stokes is a 1st year Whitford Fellow in the Chatham University MFA Program. She pens poetry that explores nature, family, and faith. Madison earned her BA in English with minors in creative writing and journalism from Chatham in December 2025. For Madison’s capstone project, she studied Phillis Wheatley. After graduating, Madison was an intern for Pennsylvania State Senator Patty Kim. She has written for many news outlets including TribLive, Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, and PennLive, among others reporting on topics such as hyperlocal news, politics, lifestyle, and arts & entertainment. In 2025, Madison received the Outstanding Young Journalist Bob Fryer Memorial Scholarship from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania.  As a child, Madison wrote I Can Do It By Myself, Best Friends and co-authored the book, Dress Up with her sister, Olivia. Madison enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with family. She was born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.