Up Early

By Melissa Kalinowski

Where a woodland path hides from the sun

A thicket of seed lanterns shine,

I wade a stream of ferns on lowland,

In the trees hidden birds sing out,

Starry flowers glow in their shade,

A fallen log, a poet’s seat;

My heart just wants to lift into the light,

Crossover meadows in peace—as a swallowtail.

© 2023 Melissa Kalinowski. All rights reserved.