Considering Bush
Jennifer Rahim
Profusion
is the sovereignty
of bush
that so loves its own society
E X P A N S I O N
is its mission
everywhere
a green chaos
lives out
the native/ monster-
dream
to people his island
with himself
vanity or
right
to glory
in the self
in the self to sing
of the self
these verses
now swaying
twirling leafy skirts now
stepping, straight-backed and
slick as traveller’s palms
moving easy now
as forest granddaddies
stroking their beards and whispering
knowing just how to spin a head
like fast falling leaves eager
for the business
on the ground
now
watch your step
raise those knees
in the wild tangle
of vines and shrubs
rubbing bodies
now with bush that can heal
or now make you
invincible
bold
as this knot grass
that disrespects cast-
concrete directing paths
prodigious
as wild lilies sprung
from a dry crust
after night rain
give voice
sssssshake
make
noise
say all
there is to say
in the breadth of this passing
wind
touching tongues
of leaves with a language
seasoned in sea
and a landscape
served in variety
announcing
no escape
no escaping
this PRESENCE
misbehave
spread
the ambition to sing
unheard melodies
to create
choirs
where ever there is earth
and breeze
unsettle
the eyes trained
to reverence order
in manicured lawns
and controlled hedges
because there is
dis
order
in
this wind
in this
bushyanthem that plays
even along the straight lines
of highways
refusing to grow quietly
where told
not so
this native
verdure
that multiplies
without blessing
lives
and dies
without ceremony
like douens
push tender heads
push
forward from wilderness
defy walls and fences
to reclaim space
or simply find
community
labelled parasites
they build
startling kingdoms
in the armpits
on the shoulders
at the feet
in crevices of regal giants
whose extended branches
ride waves of glory
offering themselves – a shade,
like a civilization
to cool the nothing
that is really difference
push forward
come out
of dark earth
to sun
and wind and
let them know
who don’t know
let them see
only tropical splendour
in this verdure
that adds to its armory
even while they sleep
let them who reverence
the accomplishment of cities
see only a jungle
in the governance of trees
that hold the centre
more than they know
let them who see sloth
in the slow swing of the cutlass
or plain backwardness in yards
that house chandelier carili vine
ratchet, physic nut and verbine
never know
the taste of healing
never know
the peace of wild
tropical
green
Copyright © Jennifer Rahim