Beneath the sprawling canopies of oak cathedrals,
sunlight filters through in fractured halos,
rippling rivulets thundering into cascading falls.
Granite cliffs, their faces aged and fissured,
lean as weathered elders whispering epochs.
Quartz-streaked crags shimmer under fragmented stars.
Jagged paths of air humming with sap and loam,
weathered roots of ancient kaleidoscope clutching soil
with knotted chalice fingers of rainwater sunlight nectar.
Sapphire liquid mirrors scattered across forest floor
silver tongues carving verses into sandstone spines.
water-breath softens rough edges of stone, sculpting
smooth hollows of tumbling pebble river pilgrims downstream.
shivering leaf shadows stretch over fern-lined walls, porous
rocks drinking velvety touch of moss with a side of emerald tendrils
skyward crackling into distant ridges. percussion of water striking stone
reverberating as kestrels carve lazy arcs into the sky,
wings taut like harps strung with invisible strings.
melted glass ripples of overhanging cliffs carries canyon’s
bones. vapor clings to wood skin catching fire, refracting crystal
rainbows of flames. immutable torrent’s silken roar, primordial musk of
oak leaves perfume intoxicating. veins eroded by sediment sentiment.
hieroglyphs cathedrals of dusk in moonlight dancing across the silver
threads tapestry. cadence of shoulder marrow, lantern crescendo
tang of pine resin ribbons of silver and white, dragonfly hovering
the slow unfurling of a fern in the shade. rocks bear the scars of
fire and ice, sun-jewel zenith transforming into curtain of light.
—
Jovina Zion Pradeep is the Youth Poet Laureate of Alameda County (2024-25), an editor at Blossomer Literary Magazine and at Polyphony Lit. Her poetry is forthcoming or published at The Wave, The Louisville Review, Tri City Voice, Moonstone Arts Center New Voices Anthology, San Francisco Youth Anthology, The Howl, SeaGlass Literary, and The Dungeness Press. When she is not writing or taking photographs, you can find her singing, reading mythology or listening to music.
