Ode to Ceratodon purpureus

By Siela Zembsch

Ceratodon purpureus,
aka sidewalk moss,
aka urban bryophyte,
aka little islands of green in gray,
nestles into sidewalk cracks and tucks itself in to stay.

Who knew that when contractors were cutting
each joint in the concrete sidewalk outside my house
they were creating the next home for little Ceratodon?

Little nitrogen-phile, lover of all things
grime that fall into the cracks
beneath our feet – hair, dirt, salt, skin
parts of life make life again.
There are names for the creatures taking root
in our concrete, crafting worlds that might as well be
micro-rolling hills,
pasture for tardigrade sheep,
frolicking under the shade of a moss blade,
prancing under commuter feet.