In The Moss Forest

David Bernier

There is a moss forest that my computer says is two hours forty-five minutes away

Moss sprawls wet and we are allowed to sprawl on top of it

Retired kindergarten teachers work the visitor centers and tell you when they’re proud of what good effort you showed today

My backpack holds our lunch because today it’s my turn

Meet me by the fountain and we’ll take all the right trains

Admission is free if you are over sixty or in love

Listen to the moss and the silence it builds

You showed me how to do that

Show me all the things I never thought to listen to

You have moss in your hair

Moss has your hair wrapped around its body

I have your body wrapped around my body

Today we are not paying