Deep Poem by Jay Mandeville

Deep are the woods
but for wit's wild sake
I'll change my shape
discard my hesitant
memory-for-hire
and join the woodland's
singing choir
amid grim sinkholes
and the pitiless power
with which Nature endows
her hungry admirers

Proud is she
that many-changing one
laughing so hard she might
choke a swan
who comforts us all with her
gentle reach
or sends us toward terror
sad riddles to teach

Overgenerous friend
of too many mixed blessings -
from my dark, base bed
you summon me
with energetic sunrise stare

But who can compel
noon's blizzard disappear
when you send one by
just to show me you care?

Who can unwind that
chain of chance choices
which leads to the birth
of that which destroys us?

Hey, no harm done;
all wounds shall heal.
In fairness, Goddess,
you give us all,
in your own good time,
a level playing field.