Vertical majesty unfurls
across the sky;
so many green dreams blossom
to gently sift the wind.

These, new—
born from age and cracked brown skin
gaze upon withering cities
that sprawl out from the earth,
rooted in foundations of steel
instead of life.

Their silver trunks echo mine,
but are devoid of the lilting dreams
that begin to flourish in my arms
only to fall away.