Cottonwood

A tree’s story

photo by Nancy J. McLaughlin

White feathers drift above
as breezes lift and tumble,
transporting airy seeds
into the arms of atmosphere.

Reveling in the gift
of weightlessness,
asking for nothing
but earth to fall against.

An open place to spread
the branching arms
of future giants;
a coded map within each flyer.

The cycle of years,
drought and flood;
thriving through summer
to turn muted and bare.

Decay feeds life
as spring returns,
new seedlings burst to sky
shimmering in late sun.