Praise Small Things
Red clay tradebeads in a dreadlock braid,
the scent of earth-musk after rain,
a cicada chorale shrieking in the sun,
the summer’s chalky grass, oak-black shade.
Praise the sticky pollen on the bee’s
hind legs, the blossom’s private parts, the fruit.
Praise all vowels: masa and metate,
smooth and avocado, quesadilla.
Praise Nomo backing first base on Beltre’s throw,
Cohen reaching Ahmed, Ahmed reaching
words both used to know, speaking, speaking.
Praise the wild geese rising slow,
circling after rain to taste the scent
of air, of earth, this earth.
the scent of earth-musk after rain,
a cicada chorale shrieking in the sun,
the summer’s chalky grass, oak-black shade.
Praise the sticky pollen on the bee’s
hind legs, the blossom’s private parts, the fruit.
Praise all vowels: masa and metate,
smooth and avocado, quesadilla.
Praise Nomo backing first base on Beltre’s throw,
Cohen reaching Ahmed, Ahmed reaching
words both used to know, speaking, speaking.
Praise the wild geese rising slow,
circling after rain to taste the scent
of air, of earth, this earth.
©2008 Judith Pacht
