Inosculation and Phototropism

Inosculation

 

The questions came first filled
with concern for forcing
bud to flower. No matter

how badly I wanted it
to bloom, it had to do it
on its own. I wanted

to see what
the bud would become
as the petals began to open. I whispered

are you sure? It grew
whorling around me, climbing
me, a trellis for its support,

wrapping me just tightly enough
to prevent the thorns from piercing.
We grew into a bush. In winter,

we wilted      together.

 

Phototropism

 

I haven’t sat here in a while
underneath the tree where we used to burn
leaves when things were

easy. They only seemed
hard then when our heads were stuck
closer to clouds, made deaf by the loud

sound of green rooted
in the tree. Wishing to grow
skyward trying

so high.

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Jacob Rayner is a senior at Salisbury University studying English Literature. Following graduation, he hopes to continue his education and pursue his MFA in Creative Writing. This is Jacob‘s first publication and he is excited to continue to get his work out into the world and have his voice heard.