Jack And The Redwood - Guest Post by Taylor Graham

Photo taken by me at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens


JACK AND THE REDWOOD

Imagine ascending on ropes, not quite to heaven –
to the Canopy Kingdom
where toppled crowns turn to dust,
to soil nourishing lichens and featherleaf ferns,
huckleberry thickets rooted in rot.

Gird yourself in harness, Jack, and not for lumber.
Climb the beanstalk that sprouted
when Caesar was a child, its roots vast
as underworlds unseen. All you know is what
you see, and feel with hand and sole:

the trunk, more than 20 feet thick at the base,
rising buttressed to look out over a forest in coastal
cloud. Pull yourself up as in fairy-tale
to meet – not slay – this giant tree. Climb above
his deep green shadow

till daylight filters through the highest branches,
350 feet above forest floor. Now,
flop down in the palm of his hand. Pop
a huckleberry in your mouth. Give your host –
this giant – a seedy grin. He holds you
by your roots.