Fogblind you might stumble
through a tangle of salal
to reach the patrimonial
home of evergreen Madrone.
Her landed families took root
along the cliffs of Puget Sound.
To her guests she offers
the barely-edible alizarin berry
favored by the mourning dove.
You might eat it out of courtesy
as you pass the afternoon
in conversation with the evergreen Madrone.
Her attention elsewhere,
she is always dropping things:
tiny clustered, white bouquets,
leaves that clatter underfoot,
cinnamon-colored bark in strips
split and curled, her fresh skin exposed
pale-orange, an innocent immodesty.
As the mist recedes.
you see her leaves in viral hue,
Her landed families took root
along the cliffs of Puget Sound.
To her guests she offers
the barely-edible alizarin berry
favored by the mourning dove.
You might eat it out of courtesy
as you pass the afternoon
in conversation with the evergreen Madrone.
Her attention elsewhere,
she is always dropping things:
tiny clustered, white bouquets,
leaves that clatter underfoot,
cinnamon-colored bark in strips
split and curled, her fresh skin exposed
pale-orange, an innocent immodesty.
As the mist recedes.
you see her leaves in viral hue,
cankers obscure a pacific complexion,
confirming the rumors of decline.
Dame Madrone will not acknowledge your alarm,
but continues to discuss
the pleasures of the rooted life
until it’s time for you to go.
confirming the rumors of decline.
Dame Madrone will not acknowledge your alarm,
but continues to discuss
the pleasures of the rooted life
until it’s time for you to go.
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