Howdy Internet,
I have really struggled to keep up with writing this newsletter lately. Lots of new thoughts budding, but very few being nurtured to harvest.
I wrote so much last year that still feels half-finished, heaps of hyperbole sitting hot boxed in my Evernote files, poems and essays and whole books I’ve let cook in the muck of it.
So reluctance to write is the natural mold forming around most of my work. I should be scrubbing these old monoliths, but instead I am sitting in my back yard, learning the weeds and trees and bumblebees. Letting “nature” and the “great outdoors” slowly dictate to me what of my writing is important enough to finish timely.
Today, that is these poems. Light little looks at what Neature’s been saying.
Hope y’all enjoy,
Alex
Saplings
Sometimes when a well-worn old oak tree finally gives up the ghost its children, saplings circled in mourning entangled grief or weeping in willow, will keep sending sugar to its root system for centuries Keeping them alive in the language of love food and family and flowers Even in the wisdom of the old-growth there are no words for this kind of wailing only songs and sap and sugar
Minneola Tangelo
you, citrus freak of science fiction test tube berry plucked by the gods of patience and pollen you, grapefruit baby mama Dancy daddy tangerine with his souls off in the whole foods you, too high on freedom to feel sweet on where you came from are all tart and no bite weird nipple, Honeybell and over priced you, are basically just a small orange but you taste like the fruit in cartoons looks like it would taste transcendent
White-Lined Sphinx
“The tiny hummingbird is back!” she leaks with eager wanting “its so small” her fingers point and I billow towards the window with what wonder is left of me “there” “no there” “not here” “here” she spews and moves too swift to settle A slow “woah” escapes me and becomes the moment honest awe at this tiny hummingbird this buzzing vessel of light the brown and white striped helicopter that google tells us is actually a moth Hyles lineata drips from my lips like a secret spell and I am there with her magic how life keeps showing up when you let it
Thanks for reading y’all <3
Alex, I too love the earth, planting flowers watching them grow, flower and seed to start the whole process,again. Love your thoughts. Heather
Your writing always takes me directly into the experience. I feel like I’m doing or feeling whatever you are describing. I love it!