Friday, March 23, 2018

"I Grow Content" by Lauren McBride

I Grow Content
Lauren McBride

I hold aloft bare branches - 
"Seasons" Watercolor on Paper
By J. Artemus Gordon
black lace against blue sky
beneath a warming sun.
Invigorated, I grow fuzzy
and break out in pale green.
People notice and smile,
and speak of spring.

Steadily I fill out,
balancing limbs laden 
with breeze-catching leaves
hiding my naked form.
People come to rest beneath.
I rustle and wave 
in bright sunshine

before my lush crown                                                
changes color and grows thin
with each gust of wind.
People come to see
and take pictures 
or gather my lost leaves.

In chilly air, my balding 
branches turn white
and grow heavy with snow.
I feel stiff and cold 
down to my roots.
Few come to visit.

I stand silent, waiting
until a warm wind blows,
bringing youth and vigor 
back to my veins. My boughs 
leaf out green again.
Both taller and wider this year,
many can rest in my shade. 
I grow content.

Poet's Notes:  This poem gives voice to a tree that enjoys sharing its gifts with people. I used "grow" in the title and last line for its double meaning, and employed an age-related extended metaphor for the changing seasons. 

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