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....