Spring Tree (w/o leaves)

my arching branches haven't seen their leaves just yet

the wind blows, weaving through my slender limbs

the smallest of my youngest branches scrawl through the sky

fractal claws

life nurturing knives

I am dark and cold - the sun has not kissed me much today

beneath clouds prepared to burst, I am still moist from their rain

I crave their water - I will hold the ground together - feed me

I will feed you

I will shelter you come summer

and let you watch me melt away in fall

I have seen more of you than you can dream

generations that come and go

but without disease I will outlast stone

still standing

until you cut me down