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Clade Song 16

The Earthworm

Slow-motion diver
in the shallow seas of earth
patient traveler among roots
inching through the earth
as the earth inches through it
barely disturbed
gullet that is its own tunnel
simpleton of soil
i imagine crawling
alongside you in a way
I cannot know
let the earth pass through me
loosen the darkness
without rest

read by Tim Kahl; audio background by Tim Kahl
 
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Peter de Swart was born in Holland, studied philosophy in Paris, art in Los Angeles, and resides in the Bay Area. He is a sculptor by profession (peterdeswartsculpture.net) with an abiding interest in literature. Short stories and some poems of his (this being a newer endeavor) have been published in the Georgia Review, the Wisconsin Review, Kestrel, Oxford Magazine, RE:AL, Mobius, Fourteen Hills, e-ratio, Ekphrasis, Cerasus, *82 Review and a handful of other magazines.