AMONG THE REDWOODS

for Judi Bari

Hello old friends, it’s been many years

Ere I walked among ye, towering

Duffy mulch absorbs each step

Woods burl with life emerging

Here, warless warriors born before the Crusades

Bear regal witness to the graceless masquerade

Of new and newer holocausts. Omipotent hum

Of chains saw your wisdom

Establish greed’s dominion

Profits über alles; Let me touch your skin

And not possess it, kiss your ancient lips, spill

My memories skyborne into your arms

Hear your silence slap the buzzing air

Fingers blazing with contempt

And join your final stand. At last

To soar among ye, towering.

Mitchel Cohen editing this book at Albert Einstein’s home, Princeton New Jersey, May 2018