On trees, the above-ground
roots covered in moss
are green knee-high socks
slouched against a girl’s legs
propped up in a nap
in the forest where wind
tickles aspen leaves;
woodpeckers beat their beaks
into echoes reverberating;
columbine flowers
nod to each other
as they slow dance
to the rhythm.
Tree roots stretch
their sock-covered legs
across the forest floor,
and sleep again
beneath the moss coverlet.