ghost trees in a ground mist
no beginning for clarity,
no end to blurred vision,
lightning fire four years back,
earth stuck in bark-charred
terroir, no leaves to absorb sound
no branch-clack tells,
ash-step silences
this visitation
how to see when trees
are all shadow and yet
there is no light
even an old growth forest
can be humbled
brought down--already
sorrel peeks through ash,
bright green epiphytes twine
on blistered limbs
Jeff Burt lives in Santa Cruz County, California. He has previously contributed to Sheila-Na-Gig, Heartwood, Williwaw Journal, and others. He has a book, The Root Endures, out from Sheila-Na-Gig in January, 2026. More can be found at http://www.jeff-burt.com
Banner image courtesy National Archives.
