Beard of green
dripping
shadow-casting
left by retreating tide
I have seen this particular piece of driftwood before
floating, bobbing, disguising itself as animate creature
now an elder of the beach (perhaps an alder-elder)
slowly coming to be at peace with its slow decaying
borrowed green shaggy locks glitter in the rising sun
borrowed life as all life is borrowed
all life hangs from us dripping
casting shadows
rendering us beautiful
regardless of our intentions
Composed September 18, 2025