without the trees
bowing and shaking in the wind
the rustling supple surrender
of osage orange, pine, maple, ash,
oak, willow, apple and ripening peach
without the leaves transforming sunlight
into matter their joy sweeping through us
how would we know the sheer delight
of the summer scented air momentary
in our minds as it brushes gently past
how could we ever feel alone in a forest
among boughs content to lie down
and sink deep with them into being

©John Greenleaf-Maple 6/21/17
text and art