Here and There
by Paul J. Willis
(Platanus racemosa)
The ivory of sycamore
in the winter morning sun
for just an hour. But what a shine.
We too stand up, illuminated,
in the valley of the shadow,
losing leaves, and that’s a sign
our roots are meant for higher ground;
though we may grow as splendid oak,
bay, sycamore, we sigh and pine.
—Los Padres National Forest