BUSH BABIES

VII. Rootedness

Some of us are rocket,
some are rock--
so how is stone decided?
by heat,
by pressure,
dissolution,
change.

How then re-assembled?ignited?launched?
By direction/determination? or what?
Some of us are burden, some are bird:
who imposes liberty?
Need we clothe our us in armor?
    “      “      “        “  “  in chains?
or disinvest safety altogether?

Do we judge duty by utility? weight?
How divide pacifists
                                  from their fists?

(Some would suggest a scalpel….
--Our natures won’t alter even with chainsaw.)

But when clenched missiles powder the earth
and massy skies bring eagles down,
I see us:
spots in the carnage:
                                  O carnations.

--Duane Vorhees