If grass explains what is invisible
beneath it, each blade in shorthand

spells a corresponding channel
cut, continuing below

the dirt’s horizon, and is no grave.
The muscles underground

exceed their animals, extruding
tunneled wakes. As phosphenes flare

beyond the retina’s range
yet wear its colors. As pygmy mice

that nightly set a pebble wall
to seal their burrow’s entrance.

The field’s grass phalanx
quivers as it stays

itself against all shadow, feather,
breeze, fur, shifting

surface light, expanse, each flimsy
arrow leveled at indifference.