November 16*

dormant

leaves loosen and alight, returning to soil and root
stems and branches become brittle, stark
sap drains and coils in the cold roots

and like a seed
i enfold, harden at the edges, go in to the center
nurturing, processing, holding

the world suspends
waits, watches       through dim light
the unconscious barely breathe

and the work is to dream, just dream

*Copyright 2010 by Luther Allen. This poem appears in The View from Lummi Island.
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