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
An invisible battle rages
steadfastly unforgiving
nature’s revolution
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
bendingtheneedle 