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      February 26, 2014Kenneth PoboIn Bracken

      You prefer paths with signs,
      read each one. I prefer signs
      in highways or malls,

      not here. You learn how
      trees shape a forest,
      geology at work,
      species names. I’m off
      walking, can’t be bothered—

      we enter a bracken swamp,
      a damp shoe box, moist,
      springy earth holding us up.
      You read two signs,

      survey it, point out growth
      I miss: a cinnamon fern
      leaning by water, a pink
      ladyslipper winking at
      a pitcher plant.

      Any forest is a work
      in progress, something in-
      complete but moving.

      As are we. Signs of age
      and love are on us.
      This time, I will read them.

      from #18 - Winter 2002