This Is Dedicated
to the fireflies
they hover
muggy over June
fields signaling
clues for waxing
crescent moons
this is dedicated
to the Atlantic tides
that bring the sea
turtles’ mission burying
eggs on sands of
barrier islands
their mantra repeats
beats of deep time
to the upright beech trees
of the northern forest
that talk invisibly below
our feet
through roots that chatter and heal
to the nightcrawlers that bathe
in the clover after a Monday
night shower
they warn the worms
of carp in the Scioto
when fireflies arrive
peach trees chant
blueberries sing
for the owl in the oak
this is dedicated
to the mother doe
in tall grass shaded by cottonwoods
she refuses to nurse
starving
her newborn fawn
to the salty echoes of Kaddish
at a Christian memorial
to the mourners
who will never again
watch movies with their friend
trap lightening in a jar
this is dedicated
to the man
with one bullet
tall and thirty forever
Orange Acorn 