A Geography of Endurance Day 9
Appalachian Dodder
A pale green thread drifts in the wind,
rootless, searching—
thin as a lie, hungry as winter.
It finds the stem of something solid
and begins to climb—
tendrils tightening like fingers
finally allowed to touch.
She mimics my chemistry,
speaks in sugar and electricity,
a daughter wearing a green mask.
Haustoria sink into my veins.
No reciprocity — only sap taken,
no shade given.
The orange, leafless tangle
becomes a witch-hair shroud
strangling the blackberry bush.
Once attached, she severs her roots.
My pulse becomes her lifeline.
She grafts her hollow hunger
onto my strength.
I remain in the dark,
peering through a keyhole,
while she burns
orange and ravenous.
18 thoughts on "A Geography of Endurance Day 9"
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Love ”speaks in sugar and electricity”
This series you’ve created is just incredible, Jeremy. Such inspired work! This:
“thin as a lie, hungry as winter.”
The depth and precision here is awe-inspiring!
Thank you, it is indeed my best work thus far!
The sense of place in your recent work is everpresent. I continue to love it!
Haustoria sink into my veins./No reciprocity — only sap taken,/ no shade given./The orange, leafless tangle/
becomes a witch-hair shroud/
strangling the blackberry bush.
Thank you Linda, i’m glad it does not feel repetitive.
Well done, Jeremy!
Thanks John!
Seductive and sinister.
I like that take, Kevin!
You had me here: “You had me here: “A pale green thread drifts in the wind,/rootless, searching—/thin as a lie, hungry as winter.” / and held me all the way to the chilling end,
Thank you, Pam! I’m glad to know you felt every line deserved its place.
I sense a metaphorical spark to this great descriptive poem about the power and haunting nature of dodder. I especially like the image of the narrator peering through the keyhole.
she burns orange and ravenous! Wonderful!
This is definitely a ravenous piece of work! And I learned about a new species. You on fire!
I love the imagery in this one. The thin tendrils and the witch hair.
“speaks in sugar and electricity”
This one is spicy! Your descriptive word choices are magically dark and full of imagery.
So, so good!
Especially the end!
I picture looking through the keyhole… The conflict and opposition of the dark and the burning orange!
So visceral! This botanical imagery is gorgeous- and haunting! A beautiful duality of the dodder and you.
I especially loved the lines:
“She mimics my chemistry,
speaks in sugar and electricity,
a daughter wearing a green mask.”