Quick! Take a picture of her…

I.

Knock
kneed sapling,
dancing in the wind

Child
circles round
with skirts of daffodils and wild garlic

Green,
twiggy fingers wave,
showing off her first rings

Quick!
Take a picture
to remember these things...

II.

Prune
unruly branches,
trim them back to grow fresh

Strong
and lovely, braces off!
she greets neighboring trees

Eyes
glance at songbirds,
beckon butterflies and bees

Quick!
Take a picture
on days such as these...

III.

Tall
blossoming beauty
stretching up to touch sky

Hold
soirees! Raccoons
and house cats social climbing

Serve
acorns in abundance,
shelter guests from rain clouds

Quick!
take a picture
before she's lost in the crowd...

IV.

Year
after year,
changing with the fall fashion

Sun
shines through leaves,
shifting emerald to a vintage garnet

She,
Mother Nature's
seasonal show mannequin

Quick!
Take a picture
before another quick change...

V.

Grey
streaked bark,
skin wooden and burled

Creaks
a little to host
sleepy hoot owls and squirrels

Roots
welcome field mice,
beetles tickle her toes

Quick!
take a picture
in her late sunset glow

VI.

Storms
and lightning
weathered with grace, but she

Sleeps
after the flood
like a driftwood monument, my

Child
circles round
her skirts of daffodils and wild garlic

Quick!
Take a picture -
You wouldn't believe how fast it goes...