poetry

Poem a Week: Basket Stinkhorn by Beth Winegarner

Several basket stinkhorn mushrooms, Clathrus ruber, at varying stages of development.

Several basket stinkhorn mushrooms, Clathrus ruber, at varying stages of development.

Alien egg, or bee-spun globe
the size of a toddler's head
sleeping in its bed
of sedums and mud.

At first no more than a marshmallow,
round and mute as an amnion.
Inside, a fungus fossil blooms
a basket of brains.

Come closer, whiff the perfume
of putrescence, a dead ringer
for summer-baked carrion.
You'll catch more flies

with stench than maple syrup
and this is no waffle worth eating.
Stand aside. Let the insects
scatter saprobes as they soar.