I sand my skin

Smooth with the grain,

Pull my branches

Straight and going

Upwards, clean my

Teeth with

Toothpick fingers,

And whisper to her

Through the gentle

Rustling of my leaves,

“I am the tree

Waiting for you to land,

Full of joy as you fly

And fear as you fall,

And I will be tall

And bend against the wind

Without breaking

For you

And for me

Forever.”

To which she,

With feathered brow,

A golden smile

Sharp at the tip,

Silver crown on

A pitch-black body

Shaped like a bullet,

Replied, her voice

Cutting through the rain and

Traffic, both melody and

Harmony woven together,

“I am the bird

Zipping ’round your head,

Full of joy as I fly

And fear as I fall.

I will be brave

And fly against the wind

Without breaking

For you

And for me

Forever.”