I hope the World-Tree
(Like all respectable trees)
Has woodpeckers.
Neither a surfeit nor
A lack:
Just enough to
Tint the vortex with
Their scarlet crests.
Just enough to
Pluck grubs from cracks
Between stars
And bring them back
To a mess of half-
Starved chicks.
Just enough that
A faint tattoo
In the middle distance
Drums the gods
To attention…
Yes, I believe
That would content me.
That, alone.