Bonsai

(For Tracy)
May, 2005

There she grows at first,
You think, a little contrived,
Forced by wire and shear to fit
Someone’s ideal

But then you dwell a while
With her, or she with you
She joins you in your
Homely places,
Kitchen or back porch, and
There she grows on you.

Her story one of movement,
Portability harvested from
Wild stock, only partially
Pruned and conformed by
Experienced eye, yet still herself

She brings seasoned gifts of
Earth, stone, moss, fragrant wood,
And old, experienced roots
To remind you where you are and

There she grows.

Sandy Shugart

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