that great tribe

gratitude for the profusion

of necessary momentary fragments

whose small composites find strength in union

to take lazy possession of the soil

wafted washed dropped or flung

as the quickening of ovules

downward, with heavy rains

from the overhanging bank, flood

the only inducement offered

from the dissolving rain is respite

for these less than weary travelers
in the sweet red-scented sublime clay

Lucy Meskill