The Arbor Clock

Photo by Adam Cai on Unsplash

Tick
Tock

Clicks the arbor
clock

The clock strikes
One

The seed has sprout
Post-fire, post-drought

The hand passes
Two

The arbor clock grew
and danced about
its roots ran across the plane
in search of soil and rain

Five
and
Six

the arbor clock ticks
At peak physique
The clock sheds its baby sticks

Seven,
Eight

One
by
One

trees of yesterday dehydrate
Withered and timbered

Nine,
Ten

Clicks the arbor clock of men
Counting the dwindling number of their days

Eleven,
Twelve

With a snap and crash,
The bells have tolled.
Leaving in its wake
A field of fallen trees,
The arbor clock
Continues to

Tick
and
Tock