Poems by Rose Corcoran

Ponderosa

Sap, dirt, the inevitable burning,

and the scent of centuries-

old butterscotch and vanilla:

there is nothing like it in the world.

Fairy-Fire

I seek a path long gone,

scattered somewhere

under golden leaves

and rusty ferns,

devoured by the forest.

Witch's broom

Mistletoe,

a kissing curse,

spreads like coral,

like fire,

under your skin.

Mori

The forest calls

with a soft voice

through sharp needles

and stiff leaves.

Poem for Sarah in October

We walked wearing black through the yellow neighborhood,

         there and back,

                  under the blue, blue sky

And talked about the changing colors and how life begins

         and how seeds stay dormant

                  and we wondered why.

We discussed cells and ducks and things we know

         and things we don’t

                  and all we want to learn.

We caught leaves and picked off apples from the trees

         and contemplated,

                  and danced and twirled and turned.

Hopping from rock to rock, we saw the river bed,

         dry green tunnels

                  and secret paths unseen,

And witnessed heaven through the treetops,

         saw how the sky was so, so blue

                  and wondered what it means.