Bending branches reach out,

aged and weathered wisdom.

Bowing to intertwine

kindred petals with love.

Jaded with vainglory

saplings contort, snapping

old twigs with disregard.

Sprigged decay in their hearts.

.

Tendrils of malice creep

suffocating with hate.

Green truths rustling in their

crooked deviations.

.

Life meanders on in

it’s bittersweet torsion,

leaves whisper lamenting

their offshoots with sadness.

.

©Jacqui Slade