The Poetry Corner

Orange Lichens

By Paul Cameron Brown

Orange lichens, in sun-like clusters, entomb the Rockface wall a sheer ascent from the waterline into glassy viscous green - - the plummet from skyward to lake face passes breathless squadrons of Dragon Flies - devil's Darning Needles threading the air where Wolf Spiders bivouac in web-castles, thin Draculas to their insect host each hairy mantle black with burrow moats at high watermark; yet unforeseen are the funnel lairs for bull snakes each water thrasher gracing the rotund, behemoth Rock lunging like a Spirit Presence up from this watery chalice.