Aurochs to Zorra

Palea

Palea


Consider the palea,
born only for the bud,
known only by the botanist.

A descriptive term: a scale, a bract.
Preserved between the pages,
pressed, and drawn in books.

Humble, in its life,
it served no purpose,
save armor for the fragile, growing bud.

It withered at the side of grass
which grew beneath its shield
towards the day and rays of Sun.

Too small, it sent
but meager sustenance from sun to root,
its death unclaimed, unnoticed.

Observe the palea now!
Preserved between the pages,
pressed, and drawn in books.


© Kåre Enga

palea: a small chafflike bract enclosing the flower of
a grass.