I'm a White Oak

December 27, 1994

I'm a white oak remembering

what season never ends,

the woodpecker's insistent drum,

the reason leaves forget.

I'm a white oak that's savoring

the green hush between sounds,

the lovely resonating of

the thrush's clarinet.

I'm a white oak now wondering

what lifts me through the years,

what darknesses enrich my roots,

what draws my ancient breath.

I'm a white oak envisioning

my branches touching stars -

loosening wings and leaves and lives

and reaching beyond death....