Spring Poem Set at Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio

Blood Root

--at Holden Arboretum, Kirtland, Ohio

in the spring rain,

amid the bluebells,

skunk cabbage, marsh marigold,

                                        blood root—

we break pita bread,

            understanding communion,

toast red wine,

watching geese gather on Blueberry Pond

I blurt out clumsy

            words of love

you give me a talisman

simple gift of

egg-shaped stone

made smooth

by the lake

flakes or rock flicker in the light,

crystals of ruby,

            of garnet,

surely of magic—

we are being wooed

            by life

bound by blood

            from root to crown

in the spring rain

            at Holden

            as everything

                        grows

                                    more

                                                beautiful

[Bob Coughlin, circa 1991]