To Die For originally appeared as Lady Slippers in the Red Rock Review, Spring, 2018
Exploring a trail
circling a mountain lake …
at the inlet I discovered
two rare orchids eyes peering at me
moccasin-chins framed by spirals
red sepal-braids, bold yellow
lady slipper mouths invited me to bumble
if I bee, to zoom into a golden tunnel
stroll on neon green.
Miles of pines in green surround
spoke to each other of survival …
only one coddling brilliance.
I was young and alone
unacquainted with wilderness
bereft of tooth and claw.
Struck with wonder, I pinched
two blossoms scalped from stems
weeping xylem tears orchid
blood oozing to the forest floor.
I slipped them into my pack
assassination complete.
In camp lady slipper chins
sepal braids wilte eyes closed.
I hurried their sad faces
onto white paper
pressed them in a poetry book
to dry, ready to haunt me
for years to come.
