trees versus people
rings of xylem, phloem
like wrinkles under heavy eyes
together they grow
branches outreaching
arms open.
embracing
sky and selves
secret fruit and talents
shaded underneath
hung on lower limbs
stretching to find
that sweet piece
that hidden moment
thrashing violently
storms weathered out
sometimes not.
weighted with age
pieces fall
seeds forgotten
bloom
elsewhere inspired.
whispers among
their inner hallows
some rotting
away
on the inside
self-consuming sickness
'til they fall.
if you listen
you can hear the very fibers
screaming as they
are wrenched
from their foundation
twisting, fighting
torn apart
felled by life
with only half
of what once was
remaining

a contorted soul

a misshapen trunk

jagged remnants like
fingers pointing
in accusation
at
the
sky.