Freely – by Susan Tepper
Went to the forest
to find the trees
You learn not to ask questions—
The father, son and holy ghost
flit through low hanging branches.
Everything in drooping readiness.
A hipster appears
with spiked yellow hair, unnaturally
blue eyes torn shadows,
lugging a small ladder
which we climb together;
him first, whispering back
over his shoulder:
Hillel. I came to you
when you were born.
Asking how is your mother.
An instant moment
of recognition.
Before blaming it on
the mushrooms sprouting freely
at the base of the trees.