Three Views of a Western Juniper

Thrust from a ridge
Like a hand from a wave.

The wind, clumsy hero,
Pulling hard.

*

Paiutes would light the tip
Of a coiled rope of crushed bark
And carry fire for miles
Like a star on a leash.

*

The rock must think the roots are lightning.

Sam Reed recently graduated from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. He lives in California.