A bed of nettles Poem by Aonghas MacNeacail

between bed's head and heel
a nettle blanket spreads
where there was a young field
where there was sowing and reaping
where there was love and laughter
where there was birth and rearing

between bed's head and heel
a stinging forest of nettles
harvest of exquisite wounds
in the innocence of leaves
the sting of birth, the sting of death
the sting of games, sting of hardship

the weathers that a leaf can tell
black and green infused together
silver's semblance in its veins
can you find a hidden berry
can you find a lip that kisses
in its season, broth of hopes

roots that do not reach the heart
but roots still tremulous with life