The Listeners
Dun fronds of undulating seaweed
mimic each subtle pulse of current
along endlessly repeated branches,
radial ribbons that taper
to barely visible, barely tangible,
diaphanous feathers of nerve-wires.
Compacted miles of forest fungus
riddle the woodland soil,
gauze-silken nets of subterranean fern
rippling with each wave of loam-warmth,
feeding off the trees, feeding the trees,
finest tendril-tips defying the senses.
But sea creatures hear the susurrus of the sea-sorrel;
earth denizens hear the secret sigh of the saprophyte.