sugar river wetlands is a large wetland complex within the sugar river watershed. surrounded by highways, it’s a site of restoration for wildlife and several rare plants. the site includes sedge meadow, calcareous fen, shub-carr, wet-mesic prairie, and emerging aquatic wetlands. the springs and fen area we explored were brimming with quiet activity as the water flowed into the sugar river.

a.

the seeps work gently

thru matted grass, earth grooves,

alluvial moves under stars

b.

the snow piles verve,

somewhere a piping chirp erupts,

and this all flows to the sugar

c.

i exult in muck and duckweed,

frozen feet, the touch

of water straight from earth