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I Grow Content
by
Lauren McBride


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I hold aloft bare branches -
black lace against blue sky
beneath a warming sun.
Invigorated, I grow fuzzy
and break out in pale green.
People notice and smile,
and speak of spring.
 
Steadily I fill out,
balancing limbs laden
with breeze-catching leaves
hiding my naked form.
People come to rest beneath.
I rustle and wave
in bright sunshine
 
before my lush crown                                               
changes color and grows thin
with each gust of wind.
People come to see
and take pictures
or gather my lost leaves.
 
In chilly air, my balding
branches turn white
and grow heavy with snow.
I feel stiff and cold
down to my roots.
Few come to visit.
 
I stand silent, waiting
until a warm wind blows,
bringing youth and vigor
back to my veins. My boughs
leaf out green again.
Both taller and wider this year,
many can rest in my shade.
I grow content.


 
This poem first appeared in Songs of Eretz Poetry Review (March, 2018).
Used here with permission.

 

 


Lauren McBride finds inspiration in faith, family, nature, science, and membership in the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association (SFPA). Nominated for various awards, her work has appeared internationally in speculative and mainstream publications for adults and young adults. She is the author of a poetry collection for teens, Aliens, Magic, and Monsters (Hiraeth, 2023). Lauren lives in Texas and enjoys swimming, gardening, baking, reading, writing, and knitting scarves for U.S. troops.

 

 


Post New Comment:
Wilda Morris:
"I grow fuzzy / and break out in pale green." Just one of the images I enjoyed. Thank you!
Posted 04/24/2020 07:37 PM
Lori Levy:
Beautiful images of the tree.
Posted 04/24/2020 05:36 PM
barbsteff:
black lace against a blue sky -- very graphic, and good!
Posted 04/24/2020 04:15 PM
Anastasia:
This is lovely!
Posted 04/24/2020 12:31 PM
KevinArnold:
Lovely ending.
Posted 04/24/2020 09:59 AM
mail@schoolbusmart.com:
Very nice, Lauren. I enjoyed it. Randy
Posted 04/24/2020 08:41 AM
Larry Schug:
What a breath of fresh air to see a poem gain second life. Thanks, Jayne. This poem, itself, is also a breath of clean air. Let's make it so that "many can rest in my (our) shade" today.
Posted 04/24/2020 07:10 AM


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