my soul is stored in my scent like swimming pools

EARTH BEARS

earth bears in the forest like little ewoks

eating the wings of damp moss

i bring you gifts from the swamp

earth bears feather-like drying flowers

crying because they are so happy

i thread the petals with soft webs

earth bears gorge upon the glow puffs

buzzing with the neighborhood sugar

i can’t imagine a greater happiness

earth bears dwell intelligently

gathering phylum to make a pulp

i break apart the bark to make a table

earth bears children in the branches

laughing throughout the downpour

i want them to be excited to have ears

earth bears sprint the distance

singing their sadness like insects

i pretend the colors mean nothing

earth bears spirit the future

praying for the shallow riverbed

i sometimes forget about the stones

earth bears rivers to buildings

flying over the ancient fires

i remember those tools

earth bears trumpet the silence

singing violence unintelligibly

i recognize ambient denotation

earth bears chairs hairs cares

snaring barren forever foot drops

i scoff the mossy doorknob

earth bears pick through wilderness

strumming always the whole notes

i know they never practice