Ella Loveland

I am from the English ivy

Crawling up the siding of our old home

Beautiful and pestilent

With sprawling fingers latched on to rotting wood

I’ll pull the paint right off 

I am from the wasp nest below the swing set

Soft fingers reaching for what was thought to be honey 

Innocent and misguided 

I’ll hold this sting in my mouth 

I am from the spiny chestnut shells

Blanketing our late neighbors backyard 

Adventurous and wincing 

With bare feet carefully stepping onto large fallen leaves

I’ll tread where I please. 

I am from the flooding storm drain

And the tired father who heaves the debris

Eminent and exhausting 

With Cold wet legs set by a wood stove

I’ll see you when it rains. 

I am from the jewel weed and the plantain 

Ground into paste for the itching girls 

Generous and steadfast

Impatient nails dig into skin

I’ll soothe your wounds.

ELLA LOVELAND is a tributary that flows into the wild and scenic Chattooga River. She is visited by large birds when she wishes and enjoys the sound of her earrings clinking together as she moves.