Leaves keep accumulating under trees. Naked branchesgreet me unabashedon my way home. Their canopy touches the skywith delicate extensions, whispering –“being bare indicates strength.” I expose myselfand riselike a naked branch.

It’s not hard to see them Standing tall and proud Branches bent and swaying Thick trunks rooted in the ground   Many have stood for generations. Some fairly new All reaching upwards, filling the sky with bloom Hiding a beauty that few see   Some say they represent change. Others are the very foundation that ...

These beautiful corpses Decaying on the grass These once emerald symbols Of seasons now past, The fierce red The frightened yellow The accepting orange Each joins their fellow For their ultimate end Right here and now None can cling forever To the trees’ boughs, One by one Each of them flies Towards the ground Where ...

Thank you for your drooping branches, Graying at the stems and leaves splaying Between me & a race soldier’s bullet. I never knew what made the wind Break so forcefully – left and unfettered, Swaying the grass in unison like a hard jazz step, Seconds before the next Martyr’s lament Whisked in quarter time to ...