Bitterroot*

          *
A small perennial herb that is able to regenerate from
         seemingly dead roots. 
 
I planted us like periwinkle, 
intending many seasons 
 
of bloom, faith in eternity 
in return. O friendship O wild 
 
woman, how you left me a brittle 
bog, burning. What was sweet as honey,
 
now wormwood, horehound, & no one 
to hear the sibilance ignited like fire.  
 
Teach me then, how to fury, how 
to be the ally you need. 
 
I will teach you what I know of love.
You are a wounded child, 
 
& that chimneys my heart, 
with knees in fecund earth, 
 
we collect dew on our tongues, 
a useless attempt to slake thirst 
 
when what we need is water 
from the skies, a deluge of goddesses 
 
who bless us. Please friend, 
let us not succumb to darkness. 
 
The world wants us to fail. 
We must prevail, for our daughters 
 
& sons. Rise up, take my hand. 
Let the bitterroot bloom forgiveness.