Butts like mine
pecking crows
some degree of wind and sand
bleaching of the sun
This alder log that washed up on the beach in some spring storm
is gradually divesting itself
being divested
of its protective layer
slowly disrobing
and under its gray bark
a thin rust-red layer
is gently polished into the persistent silver of its weathered core
it will take a long time to wear away to nothing
probably years
more years than I have
I am wearing away too
Composed September 17, 2025