the paths
of the wild creatures
of the forest
are square
the herbivores
roam north to south
descending as they seek
shoots in fresh mountain dew
following down and down
to the mature well–flavoured
sea trees
where they eat and die
whereas the carnivores
hunt east to west
following the sun
like moths
each line of species
keeps a square’s width
from competitors
not trampling the green
growing between the paths
that’s where the plants
review last year’s plan
plot the next spring
all quite dull
really