I am
By Ellie Bates
I am the bright orange butterfly weed
I survive with the poison ivy in sandy soil
I am a place of rest and nourishment
for the monarch’s long journey
I am brown spikes of wheat grass
uncultivated, rich with tiny seeds
strong and steady I withstand fierce winds
or bow gracefully to a gentle breeze
I am red rose hips on prickly stems
changed from delicate pink flowers
now carefully gathered to make jelly
enough to enjoy or lovingly give away
I am the bittersweet vine green with envy
forgotten near vibrant goldenrod
I am patient and strong and know
my branches will burst yellow then red
when summer flowers are gone
I am the milkweed pod on a stem
which once held tiny flowers
I cradle hundreds of feathery seeds
released by the wind, to grow next spring
I am sweet corn on stalks touching the sky
ready to harvest, even as daylight wanes
I glow with abundance and hope
I delight in the change I bring
I am August
Ellie Bates is a member of the M.V. Poets Collective, Cleaveland House Poets, and New England Poetry Club. She writes about nature in various nontraditional forms, as well as lyric, narrative, and haiku.
Island poets are encouraged to submit their work to Poet’s Corner curator Laura Roosevelt at ldroosevelt@gmail.com.
