In Search of Fungus
In Search of Fungus
(To Samuel)
I
The tangled tree of life where Fungus sit
National Audubon Society
Field Guide to Mushrooms so that we can see
which mushroom decides to display its wit.
Under your feet a vein of hyphae grew
a city Fungus made under the soil
where cap of mushroom pushes with some toil
to search for nutrients in compost stew.
One of the early species in the soup
where slime molds still behave like primal ooze
to beautifully colored red capped mushrooms.
Always a joy to find on hike through loop
to sight a spot where mold and tree will fuze
a symbiotic growth within tree wombs.
II
A dream fortress of dead forestation
where loose spores germinate the Fifth Kingdom
children hyphenate towards fungal wisdom
when youth begin detritus digestion.
A communal growth for Mycocytes
even more when Fungus Saphrophylic
to make soil much more Carboxylic
a family grounded through centuries.
Seldom we see a patch of “Wolf’s Milk Slime”
always disgust from Caca de Luna
so gross this slime within mythology.
Your path made slippery time after time
with mushrooms diced by your Mezzaluna
as we dip inside some Mycology.
III
Yesterday an Almond Portabello
lay steamed across freshly cleaned crockery
hint of flavor leaning towards Chokecherry
or Black Poplar under “Priopinno.”
On Blue Ridge near the children of the wood
a Fistulina grows near dying log
each Polypore at home in this peat bog
a Glowing Panellus in neighborhood.
Your Velvet Footed King Strapharia
present on sights when roaming Oregon
along the coast we read our literature.
Seen in Naturalis Historia
also along the coast of Washington
this species strives within a strict structure.
IV
Some Fungus dribble lilac and purple
or orange like Hallow Eve Jack-O-Lantern
that glows like radiant rings of Saturn
with name like “Puffball” or “Giant Morel.”
The term “Mushroom” is applied to Fungi
with stem with cap and gills under the cap
where tender infant ferns will soon unwrap
and older fern has bent over to die.
Fungi do not need photosynthesis
their growth is means to their mobility
while excreting their digestive enzymes.
On forest floor without no witnesses
a foreign force to our humanity
yet share a planet through our differences.
For more works like In Search of Fungus and other topics by this author visit
Jamie Lee Hamann Author Page
You can also find works by Jamie Lee Hamann on HubPages
- On One Terrible Night: The Family Well - November 8, 2024
- A Peaceful Place to Slumber - November 8, 2024
- Soft Shock of Apples Falling - April 22, 2024
I am impressed by your research here Jamie. A well-written and enjoyable poem.
Really enjoyed this, Jamie. Wonderful memories of the woods in Latvia and mushrooms spriningin up everywhere.
Well researched and great phrasing, Jamie. I love cooking with mushrooms. Seeing mushrooms in nature always makes me think some little faeries are around. A pleasure to read.
Thank you John, Rasma, and Phyllis. Jamie