A quite dramatic turn of events in the life cycle of my mushroom, Clitocybe Gibba, this morning. Day 6 of my observation, an ugly slug has slimed over the lip of my chalice and settled onto the pine needle pall.  

Why is the slug here? Naively, at first, I assume it landed on my mushroom by accident - maybe it's just passing through? As I begin to explore, I realize the slug has traveled here for its own peculiar, specific biological reason. My once lush white ribbed goblet is rusting under the decaying needles, and the slug, searching for sustenance, has found a feast.

Now I am grateful, for self-indulgence

yesterday's impulse, the cover lifted

a peek into whole, pure, untouched

my private glimpse, a prayer - 

a slug of astonishment