i yearned for you as trees might
for water, gnarled and knotted roots
spiraling through the hard black earth
in search of that which will sustain it.
i reached for you like the sun, my
knobby boughs outstretched,
twisted and spindly -
and in my eyes, from here on
the ground, i held it between
my oaken fingers, felt its warmth
in the palm of my hand.
i could feel it, and it was
all that i wanted;
even in this distance, knowing
its skin should set me aflame.
i burned for you, as trees might,
wrapped as lovers
on the sun.