Cotinus Interruptus

Cotinus Interruptus

Obsession grew. It gripped my mind until

This helpless agent was compelled to act.

I took my saw. Her limbs, her graceful limbs

Were spread, and sprawling further they provoked.

I closed my eyes, remembering the joy

Of summer blossoming, of butterflies,

Of scented nightfalls and the floating moon.

I felt her strength, her graceful stubborness

And gently pulled and pushed her but my sway

Was answered with a shrug. She could not know

My true intent until she felt the spade

- a sudden, brutal stroke that jarred my wrist

And made me grunt. Then she could sense the fight

To come.

My clumsy spade-strokes failed to weaken her

But now my fork was probing, driving deep

To prise apart her hidden musclature.

My anger grew. I hacked and sawed her boughs

Until my arms embraced a naked bole

To heave and press, my knees astride her base,

But still no give. Exposed, her yewish roots,

As thick and pale as thighs defied my strength

As tightened ropes grow hard and dangerous.

My palms were grazed, my sinews stretched and sore,

My sweat-drenched vest a rag, but still I fought

With ratchet, boot and axe until at last

A shift. There was a loosening of will,

A tear.

I rocked her rhythmically. Now gentle rain

Mixed with her oozing sap to slicken bark

And cool my stinging skin. Oh yes, I knew

That she would come away, that I would win.

We wrestled, twisted, she was weakening

But still she she clung to earth with tendril tips.

Then suddenly her weight was in my arms -

I felt the joy and power of release

And panting dragged her from the ravaged bed.

The lovely wreckage of her former self

Was strewn like cast-off clothing on the grass.

But, no, I did not weep in victory.

Aching, triumphant and compunction-free

I whooped.