~*~
from A Natural History of California
California is a simple topographical map
a back of the hand map
a childhood map
a as if life or death
depended on it map
a beginning, middle, and ending map
an everything but the kitchen sink map
a nothing in particular map
oh California my California
any given California on any given day
---------------------------------------
They argued over the definition of the foothills-
to her they were shit-brown
while he defined them as
that quiet that
is (a) startle of birds.
Perhaps it is the way the light hits them.
What if he altered the light?
What if the trees were re-arranged?
Should he make them a little darker?
A little lighter?
Shorter?
Taller?
Take them out altogether?
How can he perfect the landscape?
He insists that like these hills, she glows golden.
----------------------------------------------------------
Tonight, I watch
the trees glow.
Tomorrow, I will measure you
against them –
your propensity
toward these sea-like stars.
There is an sapling growing in the backyard -
another to the left,
their presence incidental.
In the distance
the outline of a third
flattens against the sky.
Through the fog it is impossible
to tell whether it is merely
an outline or the actual --
a cloud masquerades over,
telling nothing.
-----------------------------------------------
(A)shatter of birds –
or
birds shatter
dividing blue and gray
sectioned sky.
Nature is boring.
Perhaps it belongs here
beneath bright lights
in this wood- paneled room.
Behind glass, objects
wait to be observed,
transformed into a mere catalog.
~*~