Listen.

Deep in forest

Dense with

Hemlock

Listen.

Up high with the wind

In the boughs of hornbeam

And birch

Listen.

In the shadows

Yes

The shadows.

Listen.

with open heart,

and mind brimmed spirit,

soft and low,

You’ll hear it:

The voices of Ancestors

Whispering,

Whispering,

Kikukus!

Kikukus!

Kikukus!

Heal thyself.

Michael Campagnoli lives in Rockland. His collection of poetry “Ah-Meddy-Ga” is available from All Nations Press of White Marsh, Va.