How the Wych-elm Once Reached
tall as the absentee house.
How the girl moored her hands and heart charmed by riven bark.
How its name was thrilling frightening as the adults disguised witches.
How the woman returns after a spell away cowed by the loud silence of clouds
and tarmacked garden she knows knows the wych-elm has been brought down.
How at night the owl orbited its perch screeching curses at moon and planets.
How grief joins the roost.
Moira Garland is a Yorkshire-based poet and short fiction writer. Her work is included in anthologies, and magazines such as The North, Stand, Dreamcatcher, Sarasvati and Magma. Competition wins include Leeds Peace Poetry prize 2016. Twitter/Instagram/Threads: @moiragauthor