the mangrove

how to withstand levels of salt
that would lay most trees flat
how to breathe
in airless mud

these are the twin dilemmas
of the mangrove which is
the sea tree and sentinel
of the coast

the mangrove seals off its roots
from poisonous salt it arches up
out of mud to avoid
suffocation

mother
you dark beautiful
lady you remind me
of the mangrove