Roots

By Emma Woodford

Lydia green fronds a little brittle

maneuvered carefully into place

branches gently straightened out.

 

Re-placed and pushed down,

half a can of water doused

whispering a loving chant.

 

Bay tree planted,

mold two holes and

fold in roots.

 

His ancestor lives in Brittany,

kilometers from here,

first planted in the Loire to grow

 

and snip again to plant in Belgium

flavoring my stew.

A genetic march of cookery,

 

the taste of family migration

through subtle flavors and sturdy bushes.

So much more than one nation.