I am born of swamps and plains
of deep rock and well water
I am captive and captor
slave and master
high-born and forever displaced
I am still, dank mist
and sweet breeze
through moss-draped branches
I am thick heat that drains strength
from your marrow
the old magics are strong in me
I am twisted and gnarled and ugly
like a tree that has survived
you will never see the whole of me

- A. Almond-Harvey