to let

i am to let
i have put up the board
i am vacating any day
i let
my life
bedrooms
fitted kitchens
fully furnished
all the white goods
in perfect condition
this life
this body
is for rent
per calendar month
so many
hours of sunshine
and warmth
laughter
pay me by standing order
no agent's fees
no contract

no, no, do not worry
do not expect me
to give notice
of self-possession
i do not plan
to take it back

you are welcome
move in any day

i have already moved out
look at all
the empty rooms

Mother-Tree

here, now, i will grow roots

roots that reach deeply into fertile soil

a firm foundation

from this i grow my trunk.

unshakable i stand

for you to rest against, and test your balance

for you to run around in mirth

or hide behind

to cut into the bark, to leave a mark of your existence

and your love

my trunk for you to try your strength

and show you what strength is

drawn from the depth

and firmly rooted.

and from the trunk i stretch my branches

now you can rest and sleep

under my shade

my watchful eyes

my silent presence, joyful shimmering of leaves –

i stretch them wide, my branches

and i reach them down

yes, here you will be safe

for you, there will be fruit and flowers

all in their season

(i turn into the appletree and in my childhood's garden)

i reach them high, my branches, too

to gather light for you

and to draw you up into the light

you will start climbing on my sturdy branches

then build your nest amongst the leaves

until you reach the crown

for now, i know i have to stand

and spread my roots, expand my trunk,

stretch out my branches, keep my green leaves

for you.