The Sand Hill Review               http://www.sandhillreview.org 2006

Calypso Orchid

(Calypso bulbosa)

From a grove of firs on Woodstock Road,

the goddess of hidden places,

bright pink on her tiny stem,

stepped to the verge to greet me.

The next day, orange traffic cones stood guard.

Two trucks hunkered where the lady stood

while workmen felled and dragged fir branches

grown too close to power lines.

I could have yelled at them but did not,

knowing I was complicit

in the ravages we humans undertake

in the name of warmth and shelter.

Today I passed again and marked

the truck wheel’s muddy indentation.

Less than an inch away the orchid huddled,

battered but preparing to set seed.

Further in the duff, untouched, a sister

blazed brilliant pink above her oval leaf.

I paused and bowed my head, acknowledging

the grief I felt for being who I am.

Maureen Eppstein