The leaning tree

You lean

ever so slightly

towards death

Lichen climb

your trunk

Mushrooms bloom

in last year’s leaves

Offspring stand tall

around you

Branches intertwined

support you in a wind

___

One night gravity

will gather you

to itself

Neighbors will come

stare at your body

Marvel at roots

grasping air

___

When everyone

has gone home

I will gather

sticks to burn

Watch coals glow

in the night

Scatter your ashes

when you are cold

7-20-21