Maple Sweet Birch

Maple sweet birch

or thistledown hedge 

whiskers of ghost otters in the claw foot tub

husky corn and indelible feet

Stern pines scold me for my troubles 

from the top branch, sap soaked, acorn buttons on coat pockets

filled to the brim.

My mother shouts for me from the kitchen window. 

I pretend not to hear. 

pedicels of bog water gyrate with partner breeze. 

Willow locks and salamander steadiness 

the gazebo hides the ant hills and lupine seeds.