at the yawning hour of dawn
i saw a massive oak
her bark hardened and petrified
her womb twisted in a smiling agony
i leaned in so close
i felt her take me
and we sat together
she and i
and she said,
you are not afraid of me
and i smiled
to cover the tremor
jackhammering my throat
and i said,
let us just sit together
my shadow breathing yours
your shadow breathing mine
like the mirror of water and sky
i have tales to tell, tree
if you care to listen
