Pork and Beans by Michael Rogner

I want to know what the kinglets keep
whispering I want to know what the roots
tap I want to know what happens
when I soak beans in darkness and simmer them
hours barely hot enough for bubbles to sweat
I want to know the real reason worms wriggle their lives away
why cells we treat with such kindness
turn against us why ships sink why interest
in interested men fades
I want to know what Aunt Millie feels
right now while my pencil skids in hopeful directions
and my wife laughs from across the house which makes me laugh
even though my aunt is in hospice gagging her last black breaths
and I want to know what Uncle Jan feels beside her
cradling her withered hand in his hands
wondering if he knows how the rain
knows to fall from such heights
and why worms die lonely building their fortresses
that we will crumble on the tomato starts in spring
and I wonder what she hears
and if she hears songs I want to know is she singing

Michael Rogner is a restoration ecologist in Northern California, and lives in Chico with his wife. His poetry is forthcoming in Barrow Street, the South Carolina Review, the minnesota review, and elsewhere.