It is possible to become strong enough to be tender
it is a step beyond most person’s perception
yet as we grow not tall but
aged
it is cleared for us
one way or another
first we desparage
I have done it myself
then the veil lifts and the realization that there is just this
scrapes away the attempts at otherwise
I find myself tied cleanly to this branch
reaching out across this soil
holding fast to a bit of earth
onto which I will one day be part