Half-tree

Kari Wergeland

The half-tree now weathered wood on the beach, gray like a dead whale.

This extra tall stump sports a flat clean cut on the decapitated end.

The other is a massive jumble that once moved in the earth to anchor growth.

Now this mess of origin is exposed; the half-tree lies on its side.

Plant matter that once drank moisture reveals dark places where dirt was, swirls chaos and curves, octopi arms.

If only you could get this corpse to stand –flip it upside down –plunge the neck into the sand.