Toxic--By Mary Ricketson--United States

Toxic               

Caution.  Poison ivy crawls
up straight and steady,
usurps the life of that old poplar tree,
obscures leaves once clear.

Orange jewelweed grows over there,
antidote to poison ivy itch.
Bring me potion to cure my ills,
compress my wounds.

I bleed easy these days.
Words cut like glass.
Cold winds of hate    
knock me to my knees.

Mary Ricketson is inspired by nature.  Her poetry is published in Wild Good Poetry Review, Future Cycle Press, Journal of Kentucky Studies, Lights in the Mountains, Echoes Across the Blue Ridge, and her books, I Hear the River Call My Name and Hanging Dog Creek.  She is a member of North Carolina Writers Network.