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
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