The Listeners


Dun fronds of undulating seaweed

mimic each subtle pulse of current

along endlessly repeated branches,

radial ribbons that taper

to barely visible, barely tangible,

diaphanous feathers of nerve-wires.


Compacted miles of forest fungus

riddle the woodland soil,

gauze-silken nets of subterranean fern

rippling with each wave of loam-warmth,

feeding off the trees, feeding the trees,

finest tendril-tips defying the senses.


But sea creatures hear the susurrus of the sea-sorrel;

earth denizens hear the secret sigh of the saprophyte.