WHAT IS IT ABOUT TREES?

TREES

What is about trees 

that grabs my attention so?

BRANCHES reaching up and out

perfectly organized 

or tangled in a crochet knot

against the blue sky

BARK that thickens 

and hardens and breaks

as the heart bursts open

as life fattens the tree's torso

ROOTS that grab on and hold

reaching deep and wide for stability

for nutrients and water

LEAVES budding long before spring

unfold at just the right moment

coloring everything to a rich warm velvety green

and then fire up orange just before they fall away

SHADOWS of the wise and wonderful neighbors

cast intriguing reflections on snow and sand and water

tempting me to look up to them

for inspiration for my perfectly organized and tangled mess

for courage to allow my heart to crack open as I grow

and a reminder to reach deep and wide.

2/19/2014