by Laurie Keim

Always there in the same place
they cannot run from crisis
check out how they bend
and twist of all things, torsion
of the pole-vaulter, pom-poms
of the cheerleader, throwing
themselves into the tearing wind.

One ear pealed for the crack
you notice the variety
of timeless tactics, ways to win.
Take for example the Bangalow
palm reduces drag by a single
limb, a cylindrical tower
with glossy green hair.
Figs are defiant, fanatics
they stand firm on buttress roots
and provoke the gusts to try
a little harder or go round.

Make a difference to survive
says each tree or so it seems
what do you expect
cyclone is chaotic
wind and rain, what more
are we meant to do
lie down like rocks
or creep along like silver rivers?