there is a section of towering trees

on the road i travel often

that in the autumn becomes

the most brilliant tunnel

of yellow

 

but for a time every spring

while the right side is covered

with a blanket of moss-green leaves

the left is naked still, barren

 

and i wonder if this has to do with

drainage or an underground stream,

roots that don’t go down as deep

strong wind

or simply because one side soaks up

more sun

 

yet every year reminds

how variations

in the most basic requirements

or placement

might all the difference make

 

how being in a state that is stripped

might simply be

because the nourishment required

has not been gathered yet

 

and buds and new growth will come

with simply a bit more

of a wait

 

                        –everyone has their own timing

 

heather pound 2024

Photo by Sam Dellaporta on Unsplash