CLEAR CUTS
The red shouldered hawk finds no poplars
over which to court his mate, no oak
in which to nest. Sun will not be shredded
onto the forest floor. Black poll warblers
will find no pines to glean for spiders,
the towhee and turkey, no leaves
hiding acorns and pill bugs.
Sap hardens on stumps.
Sunlight burns the uncoiling fern
and trillium’s subtle bloom.
CLEAR CUTS
