Molly Fisk: God Speaks to the Rope Swings of Summer

in his gentlest voice, reminding them
about change, about fallow fields and the quiet
everything needs to grow stronger
at facing life and death, uncertainty, joy,
obstruction. This one, hanging straight
from its branch over Oregon Creek, is listening.
He mentions the way opposing twists
will hold each other longer
and how knots keep children's feet
from slipping. Three-ply, four, hemp or nylon,
it doesn't matter. The creek sparkles on.
Woodsmoke dilutes the sky's clear blue.
A madrone leaf slowly spins downstream,
oblivious and holy.

Copyright 2020 Molly Fisk

Molly Fisk’s books include The More Difficult Beauty (Hip Pocket Press, 2010).