in this occupied territory

made war upon,

terrorists set blasts

making mole hills out of mountains –

six-weeks-till-frost

And Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Supplanted by Sericera lespedeza.

*****

Stripped of recourse the rivers succumb

surrender rags hung from flood

till dogwood bloom –

For every kickback, a kick.

*****

Blood splashes on bark

mark the lines of demarcation-

the back size of glazed gob pile

no buffer of trees can mask

looming ever ready

to bequest its over burdened truth

next rain –

peaks above

falling prey to dozers

driven by kin

against their wills.