To Adore a Sycamore

Have you ever really looked at a Sycamore? If so, you’ll forever the Sycamore adore Stand close to its leathery trunk Feel each curled and jagged bump Despite dullness of winter’s blight Bark projects linear glowing white Conversely dappled color of brown Recedes reflecting its mother ground As leaves begin to grow they display a brownish hew Giving no clue, as to what they’ll later do Growing bigger, leaves show five serrated teeth Silken fibers on top and popping yellow veins underneath Dropping curled papery bark to the ground Touching carpet of green without a sound Bumpy spheres hang as Christmas decorations for a town Falling from each branch, to change what they’ll be to brown Jagged branches stretch as arms over water of life While creatures slice through cooling shadows, like a knife Unsculptured statues stand against the sky As a reminder, that nature’s presence will not lie Richard J. Long: May/June 2012