Baptism Under the Maple Tree by Madeline Waechter

Vermillion hues tornado.

I let them kiss me on the descent.

Alive again,

I’m alive again.

Under the harvest moon,

absolve me of my terrors—

for mother, I have sinned.

Embrace me with gnarled limbs.

I worship in your waters,

fingers graze the pale bark of your skin,

two beings never more akin.

I lift my chalice to you, old friend.

my baptism under the maple tree

the rushing river’s end.