The Paddock Review

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A Poem by Laura Vitcova

Felled

 

My arms once covered in needles

like a porcupine, now boughs

 

sweeping the dirt beneath your feet

I pine for you, I am willing

 

to be eaten by mold, I am letting

worms bring water to lobes

 

breathing crimson rivers

no longer exhaling sulfur

 

I am as indifferent to termites

as I am to woodpeckers

 

but to you dear, there is no cap.

I have surrendered all thresholds.

 

My roots no longer hold onto dry soil

gale and gravity have instructed

 

me to fall now, and I am

kissing the earth over and over again.

….

This is the title poem from the chapbook Felled by Laura Vitcova (Finishing Line Press), and can be found at https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/felled-by-laura-vitcova/

Laura was born in the San Francisco Bay Area and currently lives in the east bay city of Richmond. She is pursuing an MFA degree in Creative Writing at Pacific University and was awarded The MFA Merit Scholarship and The Washburn Scholarship. Her work has appeared in several online and print journals, including The Shore Poetry, Blue Earth Review, Epiphany. In her free time she travels with a camera, and sings. She credits her scruffy dog for her burgeoning interest in bird watching.