Poem: Your roots
Author: Banio Carpenter

reflexions swept past your brow
as they sampled what is to come
you may ask what follows now
revelry, dancing, and fun?

grant me time and I shall paint you a picture
nestled in damp earth a seed finds
its hard shell cracks but does not splinter
for a journey has begun along uncharted lines

shoots twist their way from their shady bower
upward, sun-ward eager to shower

in an unknown environment
of unknown temperament
not knowing what is imminent

yet climb it does
and with bubbling glee
youth has no why, just because
poked out of the peat it’s drenched in pee
a passing fawn emptied its bladder as filled as it was
later that day crushed by one knee
a woodland jogger whose laces got free
despite brash treatment leaves do form
roots get stronger and bark becomes norm

branches fork, trunk strengthens, sapling no more
spring wood rubs late wood and rings get worn
then one spring, buds blossom into bright white flowers
buzzing pilots visit and depart with pollen on their collars
petals plummet and lady bud is a lone miss
but with time and drizzle she begins to blush
it’s then that we all take notice
looking up, climbing up, eating up in a rush
before jumping ship becomes her operandi modus
her flesh is craved by us all
thoughtless we toss her heart
sowing magic regardless of where it fall
nudged in soil like parent a new start

our couple plants these seeds
the trailhead of a new path together
in the future this wrinkled pair weeds
scolding grandchildren that listen they better
this cherry tree with it’s branches, leaves, and fruits
is the physical representation our history
and as long as it stands you will find our love in its roots