Living Things

Living things 

Are shaped 

By seeking light— 

Sometimes, 

Given the space, 

They can grow 

Straight and full— 

Yet context isn’t 

Always easy. 

That tree we passed— 

The trunk twisted— 

Had fought for light, 

I think, 

Until some 

Winter ice storm 

Years ago 

Had broken down 

Whatever blocked its 

Early path, 

And it began to 

Grow straight up. 

Like us, 

Its work is simple— 

Living through the storms, 

Continuing to grow 

Toward the light. 

 Judy Brown, June 13, 2012

-from Stepping Stones to be released Fall 2014, contact us to reserve a signed copy.