Jennifer Mills Kerr

A Revelation of Trees

after Tess Gallagher (Choices)

Suddenly, every oak reveals itself
branches fleeced, gray with cold.
Twisted arms hold a shriveled nest
reaching for the dim eye of sun,

pleading, forsaken. Two crows tack
and spin, black sails flapping above
tangled life–

wrinkles, veins, threads
stitching sky in haunted song

I gather their fallen bones–
lichen-laced,
aged by summer’s thirst–
holding their promise
to burn, to surrender

Jennifer Mills Kerr runs A World in a Line Creative Writing Workshops for poets and fiction writers. Her work has been recently published in One Art Poetry and 50-Word Stories. Lit-amorous, she’s on a perpetual quest for the next amazing poem to read, savor, and share. Connect with Jennifer at www.JenniferMillsKerr.com.