chestnut hum

1.
the space between the dirt and the grass-tops
is brown,

the color of watered coffee,
one-coat-too-few;

shade paint.


2.
the brown is flecked with grey--
flint sparks

studded with the
dull copper rasp of
unseen insects.


3.
between the layers
of loam and seedtop
run taut
clear threads:

compressed,
wavering,
corded:

interlaced fingers turned upwards like a cage
(inverted birdwings).


4.
i am leaving new york,
and i see the signs everywhere.

the imprint of wings and grass are on the air
swept wings through residue,

bladed shadows
mimic the original.