Love Surpasses Season
Dearest Friend,
Lend me your branches,
that I may spend upon them
a sultry summer day
Enfold me in broad leaves
allow secretive breaths
to divulge the heartbeat of the forest
A crisper wind makes itself known
sucking on my hair
peeling my fingers from your bark
Grasping at your flailing leaves
faltering in swirling eddies
You favor a coat of copper
I plead your presence
to remain
Unfeigned tears slip away
I watch you
bare your trunk for greedy
mouths of maggots
And, feeling selfish,
curl upon my own flesh
like a burning leaf
You await the touch of spring
patiently
earnestly
A caterpillar creeps up your sullen limbs
its persistent pace instilling
hope