Ghost Orchids, "Duc In Altum"

hunker down zebra longwings,

cracker horse, horse conch. cold springs

blossom of orange wilt in our lady’s secret

kept to ourselves, in silence and apart;

the secret anniversaries of the heart.

legs of saber arms coreopsis of disaster

test labour trying to sublimate our rage.

mouth full of flowers, seashells, and sand,

our sun settles in sweet maria of the heavens.

hunting lindenii of palm polly, little white frog,

long-tongued friend giant sphinx moth,

all passionate thieves birding with the wood stork

and uncaged painted buntings. The lost riparian zone,

put out into the deep...

rainbow snakes and fairy shrimp, gone

forever via the panther's peril. hunt feral boar,

feathery rare ghost orchids in the corkscrew swamp,

princewood in the mangrove fringe;

thrown from paradise again!

a fine sailor once said, “duc in altum”.