October

October

We’re  elders now
Time to let the leaves
Fall from the tree
And become naked
So we can see ourselves

Our gnarled branches
Our scaly bark
Our scars
And dead twigs
Unadorned

Don’t pick up
The old fallen leaves
And pin them back on
Don’t hide behind the past

We are not our
Children’s accomplishments
We are not our partner’s
Opinions or voice
We are not names or labels
Let those leaves fall

And don’t try to
Pin on new shiny leaves
That shout, “Look at me!”
Those days have passed
Our job is to let go

Above ground
We are silent in our eldering
No birds chirping in nests
No wind rustling through our leaves
No flowers for bees
Just the sound
Of creaking limbs

But beneath ground
A riotous party
As our roots turn nutrients
From decaying graves
Into wisdom
That only the deeply rooted
Can absorb

bjbeyers 2024