Tonight
bright green has drunk the earth
into itself
oceaning inhabitants
The young men
have no moss
protecting them
One glassy owl hooting
in her gleaming tree
distracts
They fall to war, some break –
shattered bits of jade
splinter from the chain
Only ageless crickets
celadon themselves
and older men no longer green
are left to try to sing.
Helen Bruner is a member of Marin Friends Meeting, San Rafael, CA (PYM).