The essential complement of the pear tree is a well-
——–—defined strongly developed pointing instinct.
The pointing instinct has always been controversial. Some
——–—argue that the gesture is natural in the tree’s transition
from a wild to a domestic state. A leap from the initial
——–—crouch. Others aver that pointing is no
instinct at all but a product of training, which by force
——–—of habit becomes characteristic. Augustine tells
of the first tree taught to wait in order
——–—to catch partridges. Monica, his mother, relates
that whenever pears wake up to a ring of bird
——–—tracks they tremble & do not lengthen until
they see movement. Some trees are overanxious
——–—to point & if encouraged to exercise this impulse
too freely will develop the habit of false
——–—pointing, thereby giving no end
of disappointment. The beginner, in developing the pointing
——–—instinct to the degree of staunchness, must take care
not to overdo. That being said,
——–—it is reasonable to assume that the pear tree
sings & its contralto is in fact a psalm of ascent.
——–—The partridges in the mouth of Augustine & the mouths
of his fellows, though passé, are anything but
——–—partridges. They taste like pears. To a fault.

 

 

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L.S. Klatt has published four collections of poetry, most recently The Wilderness after Which (Seismicity). New poems have appeared or will appear in New American Writing, The Common, Diagram, 32 Poems, Copper Nickel, and the Southern Review.

 

 

 

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