Under Mama’s Yew Tree
Carefully, carefully
she gathers the country to Illinois.
Maine ferns find new shadows
in Midwest loam.
Carefully,
only a trifle greedy,
she draws together, under her yew tree,
the country’s foundations.
Rocks and rubble
from Gettysburg National Cemetery
and Long Island back yards.
In darkness the country
crumbles while yew-loam
shines.
Published in Folio, Winter 2001
