The Wood-Wide Web
A tree is all the trees around it.
An entire forest is one living
breathing thing.
Yet trees touch sky,
a scraper, a whisk to clouds
of the blue dome above.
The canopy of trees keeps a space
between each tree’s branches,
a respectful distance
an unspoken blind boundary.
Underneath they are holding hands.
Roots send messages,
I am in trouble protect yourself,
grievances they do not hold
among themselves.
Minerals mined with roots shared.
Trees leave inheritance, treasure
to the family rooted around them.
An Aspen to an Oak a Spruce,
to a Sycamore, a Hemlock to a Cedar,
a Birch or Maple.
I love you take what I have, be well.
Live and pass it on when your time comes.
If only we were like trees.
Touch sky,
not to crowd or compete,
only to share, mingle roots,
hold hands with the earth.
Poet Lisa Fosmo lives in Escanaba. She is the author of a full length collection of poetry. Her book “MERCY IS A BRIGHT DARKNESS,” newly released through Golden Dragonfly Press, is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Excerpt from the Fall 2023 issue of Health & Happiness U.P. Magazine, copyright 2023, Empowering Lightworks, LLC. All rights reserved.
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