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Live Oaks

Live Oaks

We grew in singularity
until, with age, weather, and season
your arms spread just within my reach.

We mingled in the closeness of summer air
our breath sweetened with honeysuckle,
yet
sirens and banshees
(blustered forth on Autumn’s chill)
taunted our courtship.


We swayed
not fully hardened,
And once
A branch broke loose
(Not yours nor mine but ours)
in a thunderstorm
and we let go.

We mourned
and leaned
ever closer.

Fingers splayed toward Heaven
Passe’
Penche’
Plie’.

Fixed by God and Earth,
roots and shared history,
yet
Lithe by God’s design,
Rain, and temperance.
We are ever closer.

Spanish moss leaps
With our bodies’
Embrace and repose.
Our roots visible
Licked by the things that set in
And creep close
When one is alive and still:
frost,
serpents,
sweet dew.

Our cathedral
Of life
gnarling and twisting
Into a canopy of mottled brilliance
A house strengthened by imperfection.



Copyright © 2010. Carrie Ellen Campbell. All Rights Reserved. http://carriellencampbell.blogspot.com. Please respect Carrie's intellectual property. Sharing blog posts is permitted, but no part of this material may be copied, downloaded, reproduced, or printed without express written consent. Contact Carrie at: carrieellencampbell@icloud.com.

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