My bark is gnarly with knots
The cracks threaten with splinters
In case you haven’t noticed
It took me years to grow these rings
That no one man can ever encircle
I clung to the earth, dug my roots deep
Preserved my balance
Growing around the soft parts
Until all shame is smothered
Suffocated by growth
There’s life inside shunning light
That might be worth exploring if maybe
You care
You want
You ask
How sturdy trees can come
From such helpless little sprouts
But you’ll have to carry the axe
And I will have to break
Poetry for Sale 