Observe

Leora Adler

I saw caterpillars in chrysalises, hanging in strings strung from the trees.

A spider’s web collected light from the sun

that fell through the gaps in the trees.

I enjoyed seeing calypters in chrysalises strung from the trees,

because they whispered to me, “Keep calm,”

when I walked to and counted how many steps were taken in

between the cracks in the pavement.

I watch the spiders crawl into the holes of the tree’s trunk.

Each line represents ten of the years it’s been standing,

standing in this forest and whispering to the caterpillars

in chrysalises hanging in strings strung for the trees.

Edited: Lachlan Airey