
“Three Bucket Maple” by Bruce Sherman
sapwood straddles
the freeze line
sun-made sugar
drawn into liquor
of lifeblood
that quickens the
root and the branch
obverse natures of
xylem and phloem
in rise and descent
overlapping that
uncertain seam
between seasons
life coursing
enriching tall
tissues and cells
with new nectar
near sweet come
in yield to the tap
rustic business
this harvest of
delicate gifts
learned from
reverent hands of
indigenous centuries