The country still lacks a centre-left, social-democratic party, and the most charismatic alternative candidate was running for a small centrist party with little grass-roots organisation.

ECONOMIST: The old left bites the dust

She dashes off toward a little square of brown grass to take a leak.

NEWYORKER: Indianapolis (Highway 74)

There has been little evidence that growing grass could actually make a dent in the demand for oil.

NPR: Study Boosts Switchgrass as New Alternative Fuel

The hare hid in the grass, lamented a little in his own way, then tidied his fur, crept through a gap in the fence, and disappeared into the forest, putting aside his recent grief for the sake of future life.

NEWYORKER: Among Animals and Plants

Some of the worst-affected regions are deceptively green: the rains fell too little and too late for crops, but just enough to entice grass shoots out of the soil.

ECONOMIST: Facing famine, Ethiopia appeals urgently for food aid

It diminishes Van Gogh a little to imagine him rushing out with his easel to stare furiously, almost comically, at some clumps of grass, trying to silence the demons in his head.

WSJ: Dan Neil on the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Van Gogh Up Close