The Eldest

 Our family's eldest

carries a reminder

of a childhood fall

within the layers of skin

upon the knee

That hit first.

Some thoughtful days

might find her

appreciating that

particular sensation

manipulating the

old shards

guessing at each

shape and size

within their

self carved caves.

Is she remembering

the fall?

The moment?

Taking stock

of all the injuries?

Or, my guess,

reminding herself

that she's a survivor.

~KG March 29, 2021

Smithereens

Saturated limbs,

embracing the sky.

Carpeted, covered, encased,

in thick, lush, sodden, moss.

Flowers of lichen,

catching their rain share.

Then ice rained down

upon our tree town.

Then again.

"Stay strong!"

"Hold on until the sun rises!"

Messages sent

via crown and root.

Crashes, booms, thuds, cracks

Old soldiers uprooted.

Young hybrids, topped,

toppled, sheared, eviscerated,

delimbed, trashed, 

SMITHEREENS

Soon, we'll welcome the Spring

the healing, mending, scarring,

regrowth and rotting.

Then we'll honor and feed,

the survivors,

by burying the dead.

~KGM 03/03/2021