August 23, 2018

THE FACE OF A TREE

Are trees self-conscious

when people pause to stare

at their bark - their skin -

their face - to touch and check

out their texture - especially

when it’s rough  and tough -

as if it had acne or pimples

or other teen age skin problems

years and years ago, but the

scars and rough skin remain?

Or does wind and weather,

rain and cold and snow,

become their greater worry -

or lovers carving their initials

into the heart of this tree -

this tree of the cross - knowing

these two will be broken

or broken up by next spring -

and there will be more stories -

many more carvings to come?

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2018