[another old poem. When the coffin of Roger Williams was exhumed in the 18th century they found a strange tree-root inside. Michael Harper has written about this too.]


ORIENTATION

This particular tree had pushed one of
its ramifying roots downward in a nearly straight
course in the direction of the precise spot where
Roger Williams' head had rested in quiet peace.
There the root took a definitely circular turn. . .
- Old Stone Bank History of RI

Everything dark in the fables
and shifting from face to face
like the walls of the earth
and the two elusive luminous
horizons. Gradually drawing
back shadows from beginning
to end the stories murmur
and catch together mingling.

When Eve gave apples to Adam
in the dream where only serpent
and God were wise and a harsh
sun beat down like a dull voice
on parched embraces leaving
clay to comb with heavy rakes -
no one remembers when it was.
Vines branch together and sway,
seeding the years with dizziness.

But like muttering and panting sweat
and the light of the earth's own
burning through bird and child
into the dark constellations.
Out of a murmuring planet a solid
apple-root in the shape of a man.