Dusty, pregnant and green

Tight apples, nipped plums,

Landmine chestnuts, capped acorns.

Sticky sap coated under bellies of bark.

 

Well grown hands of leaves,

Limp wristed in late summer haze.

Groaning lengths of limbs,

Patting the ground pulled by their weight.

Within the canopy, a scuffle of squirrels, a flutter of wing.

Between roots, daddy long-legs and ants.

 

Heavily laden, dancers in their slippers.

Lazy eyed, expectant, anticipating,

Slow waltzes, old gossip, many melodies.

 

They beguile me with their new life

 and ancient routine.

Cradled head in skirts of Lincoln,

I listen for their secrets.