Refuge

By George Gurley

A bulldozed hedge tree

lies on the black soil

like a rotten molar.

Its bright orange roots

swarm up like telecom cables.

It will be a refuge guarded by thorns

until a spring fire turns it to whirlwinds

flushing the rats and rabbits out.

Hawks, attracted by smoke,

will circle above and have a field day.

— George Gurley lives in Baldwin. Poet’s Showcase features work by area poets. Submit your poetry via e-mail with a subject line of Poet’s Showcase to mpaget@ljworld.com or send typewritten (not handwritten) submissions to Mindie Paget, 645 N.H., Lawrence 66044, attn: Poet’s Showcase.