trying to be
as mellow as
bob ross
painting,

going to make
every
mistake a happy little tree
which can evolve
into growth;

whose deep roots
can house a mythology
beyond those of
my bones—

going to make my life
a masterpiece and work in progress all at once,

every painting has layers
mine is no different;
but the trees may be a little
wilder than yours.

Linda M. Crate’s works have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. She is the author of six poetry chapbooks, the latest of which is: More Than Bone Music (Clare Songbirds Publishing House, March 2019). She has also authored two micro-collections, and two full length poetry collections.