Emerging (Poetry)

Coaxed out from winter sleep by sudden warmth —
the fine-filtering of sun on mellow bark —
the spirit of the tree unwraps her form
holds her crumpled wings up to the light
absorbing freshly-opened airs of March
she bathes herself — renewing — drawing in
the energy around her — pulsing green
and breathes the forest’s life force through her skin.

Her tree is old — a veteran whose rings
record the seasons — store them at its heart
she — this child of Nature — always young
and cradled deep in wood all winter long
emerges now — reborn with perfect wings
as all the days of Summer stretch ahead
she is the spirit whispering like leaves —
the glimmer dancing in the highest limbs.