Poison Oak

they named me before they knew
little more than this

twisted in vine
I am boundary made flesh

will you sit with me, earth-tromper
and stay

lift my skirts
and see
these oft-sleeping babes:
wood rats and thrushes
throats thrumming—
left bare

my berries like bells—
chandelier over heads
sanctuary, gleaming green
where the walls can be eaten
the tenderest of ends

not charity
but compassion
a setting
as much cradle as grave

will you sit with me, earth thumper
and stay

these pieces of me
gripped like ambition
called poison
I pause
to not correct them

I do not ask to be handled
but my skin answers
a scolding kiss

it it I or them
whose boundaries must be measured

when the earth thrashes apart
metal teeth into mountain
I hold him to me

when they burn me
I am in the smoke

and as the firelight fades
family finds me
in the burn scars

avoid me low
but find me high
on giants
with phantom arm
I climb the light

will you sit with me, earth thunder—
and stay

do not name me
till you know me
know me
with what you see