The Juniper and Pine

Like a gnarled old elder it stands ancient twisted scarred limbs like a scene in a horror hacked and torn against time, beetle holes and wood pecker assaults not withstanding, growing and thriving like time The outlier cousine, a younger branch stands tall and seemly a lithe woman an odd pair, living like old neighbors digging roots into sandy and rocky soil; daring all to move them out, we've been here Sentient, I wonder betimes, snaking arms akimbo a stalwart grapevine too big for it's britches Tough as an old crow, I'd say... a thousand year old crow that is, no sweet tender fruit hanging about, no sirree... A bit of sun showing 'tween long needles throwing such shade as a sheer negligee peckers drawing clear blood sap, she's scarred too, these small holes dripping life a small nest teeters on high branch in the wind He looks far east, a nod to the elders he knows his worth, a dance to the living though crippling and splitting since birth I'd rather sit by him in strength of his shade smelling the sweet perfume of his lady friend writing a few words on the character of age bbmac53