Once the digging begins, no
reburial will do, no
wildest classroom with doors opening

onto knob and kettle will teach
away sanctity exhumed. No fire
will ruin the virgin red

pine forest for the future. Neither
deer browsing nor beavers damming
can compare to men

logging off time. As endangered
as a slender naiad or ram’s-head lady

slipper, these are words
that leave no footprint.