Louie, as a tree,
had forty-five rings around his core.
"Find You," he rooted
and under soil he sprawled.
"Stretch You," he challenged,
and he waved his every branch.
To become a healthy tree,
I listened...
... ....
.....
as water seeped through my new roots.
And I, a seedling,
found soft buds connecting
on my youthful ears.
Louie, as a tree,
planted in me
my very first growth
of soul.