Tree Elegy Across the Biosphere
in Memory of W.S. Merwin
Pollination against the seed to grow canopy
and mark place in shades of green—dry here to reflect
in glassine quartz chips in the off-red dirt where trees tree
Here, so dry.
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What is there in common, across the list of names, of species—growing
conditions, from a part of the world far from where they’re coaxed into a differing
light? What is there in common if we’re not in the place of writing,
and yet we are grown into, welded rhizome by rhizome?
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So we thank god for photosynthesis more than we thank god for the sun as itself?
Here, we have valley, we have curved rim of valley closing out,
and here we have year building on year that is an aside to a past that builds in all directions.
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Mostly, people search for pathways to exemptions
so they can cut down protected trees. Mostly, people
search for ways to get around those thin laws so they
can bring down an old system of life. But here, too, we
want to keep the trees going against the trend of felling,
to give breath to those who stifle the art of growth.
Pollination with the grain to grow canopy
and mark place in shades of green—dry here to reflect
from fool’s gold but grow gnarled out of off-red dirt we coax with seedlings
if rain sets green-inflected light you nurtured far from here,
far where necessities work outside the poem for each better-suited frond
any particular roots. Dry wet dry. Making growth to suit a soil’s recovery.
Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. 
Co-President Marty B. opened the meeting at the appointed hour despite a series of daunting challenges: first, our speaker, Leslie Clark, came down with Covid and was quickly replaced by Tom Maloney from the Land Conservancy. Next, our caterer had a medical emergency, so Marty and Kay made a quick run to Westridge and got some excellent sandwiches. Finally, the cabinet holding our supplies was locked and nobody knew where the key was. Fortunately, Sean has a friend, Matt, who is an amateur locksmith who quickly picked the lock! Rotarians thrive on challenges!
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