fungi and algae
shall we lichen them
to marriage
or similes
that require two
to become an unpredictable one
“the synthesis of hyacinths
and biscuits”
no competition here
no tooth and claw evolution
but ancient symbiosis
when the first fish
climbed on shore
they found rocks
stippled with lichens
green patches of algae farms
cultivated by fungi farmers
for the benefit of both
because lichens live thousands of years
and grow only a few millimeters a century
they are not in a hurry
slow and methodical
they can change the color of a tree
or paint a whole landscape
lichens can break down
rocks into soil
like metaphors compost complex
thought into simple words
our climate crises
could be solved by lichens
a new narration
on how we could move
from the Anthropocene
to a Symbiocene
but with or without
our consent to a mutualistic life
lichens will survive
content to live on toxic slag or
breaking down our gravestones
—
Martin Settle (Charlotte, NC) has taught English for 32 years, the last 17 at UNC Charlotte. He has published a teaching memoir, art design book, joke book, four poetry books, and a forthcoming early-years memoir.
