Lush green tree

Lush green tree

Swaying in a gentle breeze

Every leaf a different shade

How I envy your insouciance

Carefree nonchalance

Barely a ripple

Your branches

Spread wide

Holding the sky

At arm's length

Comfortable in your skin

A slight turn with

The heat of the day

It is a wonder how

You keep the waxy

Shiny side

Of leaves from burning

Breathing deeply

In anticipation of a long night

As host to singers

Practising their scales

Honing the complexity

Of avian harmony

With endless repetition

A lack of artifice

But honest competition

For the highest praise

The topmost branch

Closer to heaven

Than I will ever be

Trusty willow tree

There is grace

In every movement

That you deign to make

A silhouette

Against the night sky

A brush to paint the stars

A band of angels

Spread wide your wings

There is safety

Here below you

In the sheltered haven

Of your luscious

Green tipped canopy