In the Deep Green
after Brigit Pegeen Kelly
I loved the deep green forest I would have loved it
for its scent alone—pine madrone sequoia eucalyptus
groves I loved the thick stiff layers of leaves crunching
underfoot the coal eyed darkness earth upturned yet
free of probing human hands I loved secret foreign creatures
moist moss gold flecked lichen cracks in once slick mud
the red hourglass on the widow’s stomach
velvety beetles bulging beneath stones
I loved dark hidden green burnt black as an oven
the terrible power of decay— how water unbinds cells
in grooves and hollows I would have loved the buds alone
for their mysterious movements faint midnight beating
of earth’s tiniest hearts oddly comforting
to those who sit and hear swaying branches
delicate fungi and fern all that quietly meets
what creeps in darkness
CLAIRE BLOTTER has published three chapbooks, and most recently, her poetry collection, Expanding.Water.Ways. Read more.