Tema Stauffer, Winter Sumac Branches, Germantown, New York, 2016 (photograph)
Just born, the foal's hooves are soft,
Silky blond tendrils
Soon to harden in the air
Of our empire of dirt.
How vast are the legions
Of dead,
How small the bands
Of living,
How exceptional
To be alive
As this gorgeous, wet creature
Just emerged
From the dark kingdom
Stands.