New Year 2004

two proud naked trees
rise from the horizon
some branches broken,
weathered gusty winds
like middle-aged man and woman,
two centaurs, two sentinel statues
at the beginning of this new day
each winter, leafless,
they greet the eyes
standing apart from other trees
elegant in wind-worn shapes
unique to all the world in form

they whisper histories
in muffled voices too low to hear
hide majesty
within their constancy
smile to one another
comfortable in the knowledge
that everything is passing
cradled in the wisdom
that even they are watching
their own mortality
slip away

12/09/03
© dbecker