Between the Fence and the Fern

Between the fence and fern

in the back of the yard

in the cool of the dirt

on the soft moss and sod

in a universe of silt

in a narrow never-glade

in a moistened black congruence

of oxygen and shade

---

A never-ending cycle

of reproductive violence

the natural machinations

of Darwinian compliance

---

Larvae, beetles, earthworms

black and orange ants

decomposing nutrients

a lifeblood for the plants

---

A constantly raging battle

steadfastly unforgiving

a cyclic constitution

where the dead

support the living

---

From above this Earthly

netherworld

all that we discern

are the gently blowing leaves

and the softly dancing fern