I would be forever grateful to the woods.

let me be a humble fir
let me be a consequential balsam
let me be a great-hearted cypress

I would slowly stretch my branches
forever wishing to embrace the forest,
forever green and thirsting for compassion.

I would carve rings in my *****
maybe one for each year I’ve survived,
maybe one for each year I’ve lived.

I would hope for lovers to inscribe professions in me
then I could pray their passion endures,
then I could know I did my part.

let me be a modest cedar
let me be a blushing pine
let me be a pining spruce

I would be forever gratetful to the woods.