at the tree stump

in a loud forest at a new cut

closeup photography of brown wood slice

Kneel, then, upon these roots, listening before the offered body, to the language of this ancient tree, cut now, far from canopy and now a waiting map of exposed flesh, etched with the record of seasons. The wound may sprout a new tree from inside the cracks of her severed body if the roots are intact, if disease does not kill what would.

Author: Stacey C. Johnson

I keep watch and listen, mostly in dark places.

3 thoughts on “at the tree stump”

  1. That’s punchy and sharp, like that! Something about the first two words even commands the tone. Lovely image pairing too.

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