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Poetry
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by April
A. Severin
As much a part of
Be Afraid
Earth Partners
Garbage
Haiku
Serenity surrounds me
Up/stream |
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As
much a part of
Previously published
in TowerEarth is Mother
She teaches
I am as much a part of
her land as buffalo
as much a part of
her water as frog
as much a part of
her sky as eagle
I am my Mother’s child
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Be Afraid They deflower their Mother
erase their relations
die thumbing their nose
at us Earthkeepers
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Earth Partners Strong as standing stones
We revere the sacred Earth
Loving and giving as raven
April explains the symbology of the raven in this poem by quoting from Animal-Speak:
The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small (by Ted Andrews):
"In the Pacific Northwest, raven brought forth life and order. Raven stole the
sunlight from one who would keep the world in darkness. Nothing could exist without
raven."
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Garbage Lurking behind closed doors
Littering streets and ravines
Flooding my mind
Threatening to drown me
When is Garbage Day?
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Haiku
Haiku is a Japanese poetry form.
Strictly speaking, traditional haiku are composed of three lines each with a specific
number of syllables, and are untitled as they are to speak for themselves. They include a
seasonal reference and observe a moment of meaning. Less traditional haiku deviate from
the strict rules, but still observe the essence of the form. Here are some nature-oriented
haiku by April.
as I walk
admiring trees
a chainsaw buzzes |
bird reaches treetop
under clear sky
a new beginning |
sitting on a stump
I listen to the frogs sing
they're not giving up |
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Serenity surrounds
me
Serenity surrounds me
in the whirr of dragonfly wings
the call of the loon
the lull of flowing water
the hush of the wind
the strength of rock
the courage of trees |
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Up/stream While I wait for 7:09 a.m.
radio weather-and-traffic time
the salmon's sad course
changes mine
Along a stretch of Red Hill
Creek
lined with concrete
I spot a large salmon
swimming upstream,
cry my way to the convenience store
to read the newspaper story.
Aware of my watch ticking
I return to cheer the salmon on
as he manages to move forward
in water so shallow
his soul is scraped.
When he becomes stranded
I walk over to him
cry, "Would you let me help you?"
hug him
carry this creature
without struggle
from the concrete
to the creek upstream
place him in the waiting water
rock him gently
He swims away strong
time again for tears,
3:09 p.m. my watch dies
to give a salmon more time.
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All poems are Copyright © April A.
Severin
More of April’s poems can be found on the
Anura website |
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