Mary Buchinger

[I divide]

I divide the continent
     of silver lamium
           into small islands

       one beside the early strawberries
one beside the ferns

one all alone in a tract
   of readied dirt

&

  then I venture into the backyard sea
      of blooming lilies of the valley

  its ragged shore
                   of rabbit-shorn laurel
                             holly and plum

I plow and dip
    then plant the flag
      of a young peach seedling
                   born of a squirrel horde

  stake it against boots
      and tillers

             I vow to give it room
             to see what it can do