"Hillside (Encaustic)" by Wilma Lopez

In the hills I learn the design.
The lizard outside my door
has different markings each year, the same tissue.
Flame terrorizes brush, strips ravines,
cleanses the small animal population.
I mourn quail and rabbits I've fed.
Fire, part of the plan.

The wild cells baffling your armor,
aspects of the scheme.
Stain them. Adjust the lens. See how they multiply,
jewels blossoming in your marrow.
These homely parasites will devour your high cheek.
Your graceful step, child-woman air, will disappear.
I weep, do not despair.
We are one cell, you, I lizard, rabbit quail.

Bequeath me your wigs,
Orange and yellow, bobbed and fringed,
I will comfort your falling hair.

© THE HOLY LETTERS BOOKSURGE.com 2000

Bio: Nancy Shiffrin is the author of THE HOLY LETTERS (poems) and MY JEWISH NAME (essays, (Booksurge.com). Through CREATIVE WRITING SERVICES she offers writing instruction in the tradition of Anais Nin and helps aspiring writers achieve publication and personal satisfaction.

Contact Nancy Shriffin at nshiffrin@earthlink.net (Please put CWS in the subject line.)