The Age of a Tree Bonnie Reeder, Third Place
1/3 I was taught to tell the age of a tree by counting its rings. A useful bit of information except, The trees I usually associate with are alive. Everybody knows you can no sooner ask a tree its age, Than you can the woman at the market. And so, the subtle sleuthing begins. One must casually inspect the wrinkled bark; Discretely assess the fruitfulness; Look for signs of thinning; A tree may fool anyone, By wearing trendy leaves and blushing up with blossoms. Don’t let those details distract you. Instead focus on the vertexes, Is it sturdy enough to climb? Have little critters had time to burrow and nest? Practice guessing as you sit in the shade, Of what you think is an established pillar. And don’t be discouraged if your estimate is centuries off. Every skill requires a little failure.
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