False Gifts

she seeks
to give gifts
but unwanted
is no gift at all
just a prisoned cage made
with bars of obligation
resentment and fear
so she ceases
unbound and
lonely

Beauty Hollow

She stands, a hollow tree

grown through foul and fair

ring and ring laid on by time

through sorrows, joy and care

Upright through wind and storm

as floods have raged around

she withstands the fury still 

her roots stretch, deeply bound

Surviving water and fire

her secret heart abides

the smallest foes' assault:

the rot her beauty hides

A wonder to all who see

majestic, strong and tall

despite her inner wounded core

she, aching, gives her all

'Til, on a softer day

the sparrows sing, reposed

upon her spring-fed branches

her deepest truth exposed

None hear the chilling crack

the sparrows, frightened, fly

alone with birds and butterflies

her trunk splits ground to sky

So ends all strength and beauty

they are never heard from more

when deep within they are graced

by empty, hollow core