THREE MUSHROOM POEMS

by Mahathi Mangipudi, Autumn 2019

Photos by John F. Williams, except where noted

THREE MUSHROOM POEMS

By Mahathi Mangipudi Autumn 2019

Photos by John F. Williams except where noted

Equinox

~ s p r i n g ~
fragile buds twist and turn,
bloom under warm rays of pastel gold
nutrients taken from underground
feed and nourish
building growing plants
life starts anew,
greenery misted with dew

~ a u t u m n ~
fiery reds and oranges
drift down slowly, under
whispering tendrils of wind

those nutrient rich leaves
mount and pile
caps grow,
and saprotrophs triumph
the reign of Boletes and Parasols
digesting and breaking down
bringing the nutrients back underground

truffles

delicate frills

rooted cultures

underground fungi

pungent flavors

rich delicacy

unique palate

yet still

part of

mother nature’s

game

Photo: public domain

I saw a sponge that was black with ruffles

Its weird shape and unknown identity led to kerfuffles

Tasty and pungent, despite growing underground

Overharvested to the point of no rebound

With exquisite flavor and delicate features we called them truffles

Mahathi Mangipudi is a junior at Interlake High School. She is a social activist, avid debater, and an environmental enthusiast. She represented the United States at the 2018 International Earth Science Olympiad in Thailand, where she earned a bronze and silver medals. She is pushing for local change towards a more sustainable community through the creation of the first Student Climate Action Plan. Mahathi is currently researching at the University of Washington on environmental issues. She teaches earth science and biology to elementary and middle schoolers through a non-profit organization. She also teaches local elementary school students about the importance of environmental conservation. She loves writing spoken words and has performed her work at various conferences. Mahathi monitors local streams and restores habitats through a local environmental organization. When she isn’t advocating for environmental sustainability, Mahathi can be found hiking, swimming, writing poetry and singing in a community choir.

Table of Contents, Issue #5, Autumn 2019

Think Like a Mushroom

by David Ansley, Autumn 2019 Photos by John F. Williams, except where notedPhoto by John F. WilliamsBy David Ansley, Autumn 2019 Photos & video by John F. Williams except where notedMushrooms? I don’t know how I missed them. I grew up deep in a second-growth...

Ghost Plant

AN UNDERSTORY THIEF by Adelia E. Ritchie, Autumn 2019 Photos by John F. Williams except where notedAN UNDERSTORY THIEF by Adelia E. Ritchie, Autumn 2019 Indian Pipes “Stop,” I said. “Indian Pipes.” Ghostly white, tiny vampires reaching up from moist loam...

Foto Tour 1

Showcase of Participant Photos from June 4, 2019 Showcase of Participant Photos from June 4, 2019 On June 4, 2019, WSU Extension in Kitsap County hosted a Forest Foto Expedition led by John F. Williams. We met at Newberry Hill Heritage Park in Silverdale. A park...

Mushroom Photo Essay

by John F. Williams, Autumn 2019 Photos & video by John F. Williams except where notedBy John F. Williams, Autumn 2019 Photos & video by John F. Williams except where notedintroduction This issue contains a couple of very informative articles about mushrooms...

Survival of Our Woods

DEPENDS ON MUSHROOMS by Olaf K. Ribeiro, Autumn 2019DEPENDS ON MUSHROOMS by Olaf K. Ribeiro, Autumn 2019 Have you ever wondered about the mushrooms you see in the woods? Actually, there is much more to mushrooms than the colorful forms that so delight us during our...

Yellow Spotted Millipede

by Catherine Whalen, Autumn 2019A couple of yellow-spotted millipedes spotted in North Kitsap Heritage Park in May. Photo by John F. WilliamsA couple of yellow-spotted millipedes spotted in North Kitsap Heritage Park in May. Photo by John F. WilliamsBy Catherine...

Lichens

by Sara and Thomas Noland, Autumn 2019Photo by John F. Williamsby Sara and Thomas Noland, Autumn 2019 In the fantastical world of fungus, it’s hard to stand out. But the lichens have managed to do just that. You probably see lichens every day, whether in your yard,...

More Mushrooms: Another Photo Essay

by Catherine Whalen, Autumn 2019 Photos & video by Catherine Whalen except where notedBy Catherine Whalen, Autumn 2019 Photos & video by Catherine Whalen except where notedart imitates lifeI found the above mushroom in my front yard one afternoon and it...

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