Peel

Butts like mine
pecking crows
some degree of wind and sand
bleaching of the sun

this alder log washed up on the beach in a 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