Pining Whispers

Listen
            to the tree
                              speak.

It, like us, needs wind to give it
                                                      voice

trembling branches
(so many vocal chords
so large so many
why does he whisper?
- Secrets.)

murmuring
                       to the squirrel in his branches
                                         home, home
                       to the nesting sparrow
                                         home, home

sighing
                     as he slowly sways
                     in the warm breeze
                                         peace, peace

howling
                     at the storm above
                     shaking his anger
                     lashed side to side
                                         flee, flee

whispering
                     to himself
                              when no-one's there

                                        Secrets, Secrets

Gary Nelson | Jan 4, 1989