How Long

Suzanne Morris

February 18, 2024

I wonder how long before 

the trails he cut through

the woods above the creek–

wide enough for

a two-seater buggy– 

are overtaken by

thorny wild

blackberry vines and

tangles of honeysuckle

and muscadine,

and pine saplings mulched with

fallen leaves,

autumn’s age-old benediction.

I wonder how long before

all signs that he was here

have vanished

like his ashes we

scattered that April day

save for a few 

intractable granules 

carrying his DNA.

Suzanne Morris is a poet and novelist with eight published works.  Her poems have appeared in numerous anthologies and online journals, including The Texas Poetry Assignment, The New Verse News, and Stone Poetry Quarterly.  She resides in Cherokee County, Texas.