Bamboos Poem by Charlotte Peters Rock

Bamboos shiver in silent falling ice
Inconsequential
Frivolous as dragonflies
or Birds of Paradise
wandered far beyond their tropic balm

In frotterie and filligree of shimmerleaf
Beneath the light
bright to serve the roaming dog
nose sucking midnight nuances
of foxes at a distance
rabbits closer in their feasting

Arctic pinholes flood the gentle warmclad air
Resting lethargy to rime the lawn
shorn of languid summer breeze
Driving down its worms in depths of innocence
coiling warily in airy chambers squirming
darkly rummaging for Spring

Bringing arteries of air
careful nurturing in gardens out of light
heightening warmth around the roots
shooting energy up
to greet the silent ice
falling leaden on the shimmering

Deadening and deafening
beneath a cloak of palest grey
bamboo
leaves with memories of light
served by airy chamber worms
just below the ground
concealed beyond the cloak's concealing ice