Two branches growing in tandem
Leaning towards the sun
Into the rain to catch the best drops
One half grows
And the other flowers
One grows leaves
The other browns
The other turns yellow
Then green again
One sprouts a hole
From an errant insect
Chewing from the outside
Climbing over
The other to munch
And munch
It did
Other leans forward
Heavy under the weight of a
New bird’s nest
One sports a new cocoon
Swaying softly
In the breeze
The winter pulls away the nest
And the butterfly dances south
The freeze locks both
Under the weight of their own
Condensation
The frozen dew
Locking their jaws
Locking their skin
From the light of day
A mourning dove coos
A mouse squeaks
And the branches sport
A thick white blanket
Cozy enough to chill
The insects into their skin
Find peace, Nature said,
Find unity, said the Universe
Find love, said both branches
Intertwined on the same trunk

©️ Samantha Mae Sweeney 2023