I admire your synchronized angular effort
to make your way not very far into the world.
Your forefeet and back feet attach, release,
push and pull your immense will
up the north slope of my sleeve.
Your pale green florescent torso contracts
to launch your hind half toward your head.
In a resolute series of exactly perfect loping loops
you inch your way toward the summit of my neck
until I lose my nerve and gently lift the lightness
of your body into a lower clime of pachysandra
growing over stone. I respect your courage for
the climb and doubt my own, fearing the sensation
of your interloping feet scaling my beard and cheek.
Geometrid,*
you wear your name well.
Inch by inch you measure
the massive earth we share.
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*geometrid (L.) = ‘earth measurer’