A worm’s eye view from the ground where I lay 
enveloped me, sweet smell of soil
and decay, heart-roots to the underworld

held me, briefly, in her arms like a prayer
for you.

Above, a canopy of tree limbs swayed,
and a flutter of `apapane birds fluted,
five million year old forest songs cushioned
the emotions of your impending incarceration.

My eyes catch in slant rhyme, a passing pheasant
crowned with sleek-blue and black-gray, beady glints
aware of my graying hair fallen
like seeds, and crumpled leaves
reluctant to leave the forest floor
ungrounded.

Sadly, I must return to the forest
without you.