hanging out with plants

 i learned a little about an herbarium late tuesday afternoon

 and biology museums

 the work of many many students

 for many classes over many years.

some, like this, retained brilliant color

but weren't even mounted.

 deep woods

 i remember "discovering" indian pipe 

in the early 1980's

and dyeing with it

a stack of walks

pressed memories, 

assignments,

i felt sad all the same.

and excited by the learning.