the tree

come cradle yourselves in my long arms,
curl inside my hollow heart for comfort,
--find sanctuary in the curve of my arched foot.

build your home upon my shoulders,
bring youth to my aged eyes,
--find warmth in my splintered ice.

place your nest upon my brow,
paint a new memory on my mind,
--find your lost moments in time.

kiss the clouds atop my hands,
call upon a midnight star,
fly,
cry,
sing,
see--

for i am the tree.

*from creative writing workshop, summer '02