On the ridge individual trees follow each other into the gully packed strong for shelter against snow like follow-the-leader elk descending into a herd into a forest thicket where safety in numbers closes ranks into an antlered mire like thorns impaled on stalks to jab away danger in jostling tournaments of survival. Meadows shield the valley from marauder gullies full of malcontents carving from the ridge line.
Diane Webster's work has appeared in Old Red Kimono, North Dakota Quarterly, New English Review, Studio One and other literary magazines. She had micro-chaps published by Origami Poetry Press in 2022, 2023 and 2024. One of Diane's poems was nominated for Best of the Net in 2022. Her website is: dianewebster.com