V: Little Sprout

Oh little sprout, the forest sleeps

in arid ground now cursed by drought.

Across the land, the desert sweeps,

oh little sprout.

Your boldness lacks a water spout

but hidden root in darkness steeps

the moisture buried deep in doubt.

The dream of Spring nobody keeps

ascends in stems so small and stout

when mourning sky, in seeing, weeps,

oh little sprout.

• August 2025