The Grapevine of Life

Somewhere amid the underbrush
quite a distance back
is the formidable root source
a mighty persistent being
that goes deep down
and spreads its branching vines
around and about the surface
yearly sending out further
flexible shoots and tendrils
that attach themselves to all
available supports
from the
                                                 up
                                             and
                                    and up
                        up
ground
circling           connecting
seeking sun and space
a living tangle of purpose
that burgeons in pinks
to become green carpet and
or canopy
in service to clusters
of purple-blue fruits
or variations on white
red   green   or black 

Vines wander across the ground
vines climb whatever
heights
                  they     encounter
and in the t a       n g    l e s         e       s
ta a   n  g g    ll l     s s
     an    gles
that edge the Widow Wyile’s wild garden
lurk nests of flower and berry generating
dragons   <<< l o o o n g >>>
   <        and       >
<s> <p> <<<i>>> <n> <y>
that grow into daunting thickets
of great psychological might
and physical consequence
a yearly advancing presence
demonstrating the ease
with which Briar Rose’s castle
was effectively surrounded
by a living hedgerow of thorns
for brambles and briar patches
come in many forms
and such prickly factors
give us much
to contemplate 

Both vines and brambles snag
the Widow Wyile’s clothing
her hair           often catching
her from the back
and though she is determined
as many an ardent prince
she respects the peril
she has put herself in
as she tackles barbed stalks
to get at the grapes
tackles the vines
to free ensnared saplings
each activity a compromise
an existential wrestle
perhaps too easily filled
with apologetic rationale 

She feels the paradox
of her vegetative dragon slaying
knowing the roots beneath the surface
from previous encounters
and her appreciation of the plants
tinges each snipper-snack
with a touch of chagrin
            if only they would march around
            and not through
the spots for vegetables
           flowers
           bare feet

Grapevines                 life lines
long and twisting       looping high
and low

Brambles nine feet tall
<<<<999999999>>>>>
pointedly arching down
beautiful blooming havens
of great circumference
for small creatures
bearing fine hips
haws
            berries black 

Eglantines and grapevines
journey maps
stoic ancestors
mythical creatures
hidden histories
contestations of origin
snarl of catching stems
crafty barbs and tendrils
            above
intricacies of ancient root systems
            below
all in all    an enormity
of figuring and feeling
to coax along
toward comprehension
  an atonement
wherein truth blossoms
and genuine co-creation
flourishes with grapevine
vigour