The Healing Tree

My jaundiced eyes
boil in
pallid
weeping flesh

My body

drawn
to the spotted tree

Naked knees
wet palms
burn in drifts
of bitter ice

I crawl to ring
of brown heat
warm halo of
dry leaves
around roots

My body

against
the dying tree

I hook purple ribs
over weak limbs
feel the dark bark
cover me
grow thick
heavy
spill blood
and drink

I too
taste sap

This oak and I
grow strong
again