*

The warm summer sap has thickened my bark

giving me a much needed and welcome tough skin

When the wind blows, I curl in my roots

like toes in tight shoes

.

If it’s snowing, and my limbs begin to bend under the weight

I relax, letting loose all worries and cares

bending with delightful ease

.

The sense of an earlier sunrise, and later sunset

stirs in my veins each day,  giving hope and assurance

to my weary stump which bares the brunt of this season

.

My buds will soon be showing themselves

and I prepare the greetings

The leaves inside can dream tall tales

the skies arrange the meetings

.

Critters and birds are familiar to me

There’s more of them all of the time

I think, I hear, I feel, I see

a spring in my step

a rhythm with rhymes

.

Lighten up and quench my thirst

This leaf in my book says, “You’re the first!”

Bless a tree, oh, love divine

Rain on me, my sweet sunshine

*