For Paul Brookes’ December challenge.

Tree works

A tree holds many worlds,
beneath-bark galleried,
leaf-sheltered insect hatcheries,
architecture of bird and squirrel
homes, held tight in forks,
scooped out within.

A tree grows its own tools
to climb, expand, increase,
spreads deep foundations
to gather up hillsides and valleys.

I gather a handful of acorns,
watch a child
with a spoon,
planting.