Have you ever caught a bird?
Only for your hand to learn
The art of the Oak's—
To harbour—and farewell.

Have you ever held a sparrow?
Amid your fingers, soft as marrow—
One errant squeeze,
And its frail heart... let go.

Have you ever nested a feathered Thing?
Pledged to shelter a fragile wing—
Only for the weather
To drain the sweetest sap of Spring.

Have you ever posed as a Tree?
Arms for branches—Roots for feet.
The Trunk—perennial—
Yet each Fall kills every Leaf.

Have you ever fondled a sparrow?
And watched it depart—with no sorrow?
October—grant me this forbearance:
To harbour—and farewell, as the Oak.

#lines | @FrancisFor8