Back bowed

to warming sun;

knees pressed

to earth –

withdraw each

tender seedling

from crisp,

sweet

leaf litter;

tug at that

connection,

at each pale,

elongated

stem and root

until –

unwilling –

the fibers

release.

Each pliant,

wrinkled leaf

a world

of innate

potential.

One hundred.

Two hundred.

Three…

To right,

moving headfirst

down the

parent tree,

Nuthatch watches,

mutters,

while Chickadee,

to left,

muses over

nest sites.

Rise,

forest in hand.

Determined

proliferation

of life

gathered,

in a small,

bouquet

of youngling

green.

 

 

— C.Birde, 4/18