PREMONITION

PREMONITION

I watched as grass bulged
a small circular uterus in rising
rooted elongations pushing east and west from its center
north and south also
all growing until the earth split around
unfolding upward
standing.

Skin of fescue
lids of peat
eyes and hair of cherry
green toes on rooted feet
legs of conglomerate, stout trunks
arms of twisted weeds
it began a slow grassy dance.

On its head was scrawled “Effete”
into the air it sang
into ground it called
wolves, hawks, eagles, rabbits, foxes, deer responded
encircled and enthralled
ants, katydids, centipedes, caterpillars all
to Effete they came.

“I am deplete”
Effete sang
attendees heads dropped to hang
“and maltreat” Effete’s still melodic harangue
“of you I tire”
coup de grace.

Confusion replete
Awakened beside a pillow neat
minutes at a window standing and more again
before looking out and down
to see a forest bulldozed
topped with concrete.