TREE HUGGING

Stooping, parting grass, seeing Toad sitting in his doorway,
talking to a neighbor friend. Looking, each doorway containing
at least one Toad eavesdropping, living in this apartment cave
that joins in the center communal room.

Vine stairways climb up, held by toeholds in bark
to doorway of Bird who tries to fill never-ending beaks while
around and around Squirrel is racing, using huge tree arms
as platforms to the balcony made by amputation of an arm and
now a miniature meadow with grass, bushes and mushrooms.

Above, Woodpecker anoints my head as he tries to reach a
burrowing Insect and the Cardinal sings to bewitch a mate.
Almost leaves, ready to burst out and open tiny arms to Sun
who started this cacophony to begin with.

The tree so high I can barely see its top,
So old I cannot reach around it,
The bark twisting around in swirls
making faces at me.

I rest my hand on a root and feel the quiver of life.
I love you tree.