Crown Vetch

To swim a pond with no one
Else in view, no house, no road
In sight, just blooms of crown vetch

In crowds that keep the rest out,
As all weeds try to do, us
Beast-weeds too, who brought vetch here—

There’s a thought that has not showed
Its face in my mind for years.
Once, I swam in such a pond,

Far from these slopes of burnt pines
And cheat grass, weed of the west,
Brought out as was brought crown vetch.

Those were what we called “north woods,”
Thick and wet, young growth sprung up
Once the ax left, full of stumps,

Ticks, flies, “all jaws,” “no-see-ums,”
Small snakes, fine skunks, all the rest.
Land of deer with the wolves gone.

I did not think that I was
A beast, a weed, or a ghost
Back then. I thought I could swim.