Symbiosis~by Paul F. Lenzi

 

 

Symbiosis

“Dead Tree Trunk” by Gordon Wolford

a gnarled
hollow tree
stands deep
in high forest
encases my pith
replacing its own
it is my shell
I am its flesh
symbiotic
immobile
we two remain
rooted in place
skin to cambium
I can’t recall
when I gave up
screaming for help
through the crevice
in front of my face
days or centuries
maybe since
making my peace
with the wood
understanding
that we keep
each other erect
fully knowing
without it
I’ll simply collapse
to the ground
still unable
to move
until dying or dead
I dissolve
decompose
into bits of
detritus

 

(originally posted April 2013)