" In the Shape "...

" In the Shape " by Suzán Jiván Mom & Mom-Mom Suzán

In the shape of a stout stake banged into the surface in preparation
for elongation though and hot-flavored for our gardening days
requiring considerable space as a native climbing rose
grown atop a poet's grave easily increasing by layering
deep-pink to crimson fragrantly easily raised bottle-shaped
reddish grays sloping banks leaves lanceolate large calyxes
excavated ashes salt hay shortened canes well-placed
glorious displays wide color range profusions of blooms
fresh shoots corrective pruning down to sound wood
double flowers plots of grounds pegged down
white-washed brambles to good advantage as unmarred branches
of differing habitats adapted for planting quickly established
sown under glass metallic copper brass danger of frost passing
grown as annuals in partial shade well-grained good strains
ancient white veined varied lengths cuttings layers
propagating cases sawed planks cross bracing bird tables
corked decorations rasped planed cleanly cultivated rudabaga
syringed daily kept moist by damping baskets fans beds of sand
pink family paved paths well established together in flats
large patches tall attractive burlapped whorls of flowers
bladed arrows raised and named dainty early stages
overtaking watering shading cream variegated patron saints
praying over graves congregating cultivating elevations
enclosed by only one day like well-known-fast-growing willows
rich loamy muddy below seeds being sown into fresh compost
margined in yellow leaves unfolding handsome foliage
cylindrical heads mixed perennials rapidly spreading
numerous stems potted separately slender erect vigorous specimens
letters from the editor gesture after gesture humming again and again
supporting many as if life could be less as bare-armed pleasures
the true test garden sheds tables of contents foraged fresh
Woodland Cemeteries forsythias in February for evidence of shelter
with silences at the center low hedges upon request
preparing our pail flagstones irrigated daily loose and gravelly
controlling tweaks via overcrowding yet staying in the bounds
of bare ground bypassed weeds sprouting pussytoes alum roots
being raised by the thousands...

" High Arching Flight "...

" High
Arching
Flight "

by
Suzán
Jiván
Mom
&
Mom-
Mom
Suzán

High
arching
flight
generally
silent
deep
languid
wing
beats
dark
underwings
gliding
wing
stripes
plunge
diving
black-
crowned
night
white-
faced
ibis
nesting
cycles
hook-
billed
kite
molting
juvenile
solitary
sandpiper...

" A Soft Croak "...

" A Soft Croak "

by Suzán Jiván
Mom & Mom-
Mom Suzán

A soft croak
descending slowly
staccato popping
open water ponds
clustered flocks
harsh low barks
feral populations
overlapping range
and habitats
clucks and cackles
rust and black
unpatterned drab
masked quail
arid grasslands
strongly scaled
tail feathers fanning
on take off and landing
relatively pale females
white-tipped tails
dry chatter quacking
lesser prairie small areas
descending series
calling in clearings
deep gulping
pounding repeat
throaty dense reedy
nesting colonies
black legs and feet
foraging crouching
tidal creeks
white underwings
often seen running
prey is abundant
courtship colors...