Prairie Tallgrass Preserve

we walk the spongy path of spring

on this Sunday in May

fine droplets splash

up to knees

listen to birds sing in the tall dried grass

of last fall

we want to know more

about these birds

these trees

these plants

these lives

that survive in this ancient Agassiz lakeshore

more questions than answers always walking back

to Honda CRV

three boys

early autumn evening

sky dusking

dew damp

three boys wrestle on the front lawn

like Crusher & Mad Dog

Bockwinkel  & Gagne

figure four leg locks

half nelsons body

slams & sleepers

grass stains on knees & elbows

& endless play-by-play

for these were days before

leaves falling before

winter cold before

the leaving behind

fruitless naming

this four cornered

sunroom is full with

growth

tomatoes

violets

beans

melons

basil

ferns

daisy

petunia

all that I see and can

name

but there’s more of

course there is always more

and naming isn’t enough for you

cannot say a spell to carry the shape

and curve and perfect green of a tomato leaf

hanging still on a stem

every day a little louder

song in thrall to light and

water

but still we try

with words rubbed smooth to fill a page

a square of sun

stunted

this northern spring salt

in our cuts           buds neither in

or out holding breath

I sing May

I sing May voice

craning to edge of June

I sing May song

bursting leaf buds

I sing May words

distinct whistles of wrens and killdeer

I sing May melody

sways strong spring winds

I sing May tempo

of darting daring leaping child

I sing May key

of flower buds and bumble bees

I sing May

in service of spring

lux aeterna

cat in the sunbeam

major chord modulates

trees shadow road

sky domes blue

soprano wings tip to tip

rooted seedlings green air

sparrows dip jerky beaks

small boy turns on bike with smile 

house shadow defeated