the
bamboo shoot
sprouts and prospers.
the sun shines uninterrupted.
soothing rain softens silken soil.
fruitful days
pass into crisp nights
pass into weeks into months.
soon,
the first cold rains of winter
drip on leaves which have less strength.
winds weave, which are
laced with scents and
threads of a frosted siberia.
the bamboo looks left
looks right
at other bamboo shoots
which have grown too
and always remained close by.  
the bamboo looks up at the
now fogging sky
looks down
and realizes
it's newfound
fear of heights.