Healing Heart

I saw a tree today

which had cast out

its own rotten heart.

But for honeysuckle hanging fast

the tree’s whole core would fall.

I could see the tree would go on

already growing healthy bark

and rolling it over the chasm inside

which might have been a lightning strike

or just a slow drip of rot through the years.

Whatever had set it back

this tree was going on

making the best of where it was

growing where it stood

rooted there and helpless

to do otherwise.

It would be hollow now

but after all many trees are

Looking solid from the outside

standing for years through storm and ice

In desperate straits, you'd think, but holding fast

making leaves and throwing shade

year after year

sheltering others

animals, birds

young seedlings

In the healing heart that was once its greatest wound

12/10/13