Planted

Swirled and swept and cradled—
Little brown seed among
Rocks and violent eddies—
Shivering river foaming, flowing
Down, and around,
Carrying a tiny piece of life—
Like a mother, until
She sees at last the spot;
And slowly sinks the seed
Into the soft soil, its foot is a root—
Deeper, stronger, clinging
To the earth its stronghold,
Borrowing his stability while
Around the soft new body,
Sunlight replaces water
As the last strands of river retreat away,
Leaving a tree to stand
calm,
still.