Old Redwood Tree

I watch the sunrise
Skies spread wide and bright, as the hiding night slowly slinks away.
From lofty, misty highs, my teary eyes see fog and vapour chased by morning's gaze.
Stale shadow covers shrink and disappear, 'til crisp, clean air
around me
lingers
as
I sway.
Together we are, breathing as one, feeding the world and fed by the sun, yet each tree we are -
one hand bound in earthy glove, and one held high and open – free.
My branches to the wind bend and shake; a thousand sails
sailing
daylight's
shoreless
lake.
I've seen beasts and mice and bugs play and live in the forest rug of leaves and mud and twigs
and dew that fall from me, and them, and you.
And I've seen endless plants grow up, and die; though none get so tall as I, the
Great old
redwood
tree.
And should sky's tired wings seek rest, my arms will stretch to meet them; leafy hands round all will bow til sun should rise again. Then, warm light gently through my fingers dapples, morning melodies ring out, and bid my buds to come to flower, gracefully, til
Comes the
autumn
hour
.