by Elsa Johnson

Perhaps it is the wind.

You cannot see a tree grow

a twist. If a tree is started on a turn

it spirals over time,  a right hand

whorl or left,  movement taking years

to reach visible  effect.  You can walk

in a grove of old trees,  all standing

straight,  spot one,  then two,  twisted

in opposite directions. Why trees do this

puzzles:   once the turn has started

so must it go on. Is it like this also

for children? Does the twist toward fear –

suspicion –  hurt –  happen early

and unnoticed, and is then bound

to the growing grain?

O Changing wind:   give my buddings

a veer toward joy.  Twist

them gentle.