GUEST BLOG...POETRY! "Branching Out" by Dennis Patrick Slattery

BRANCHING OUT

Early Saturday morning trimming back

small trees from the wooden fence

out front along the property line.

No breeze, thick Texas August air

as I settle into the swagger of sweat.

Something releases in me when

I saw the branches from around the

slats of wood; they fall startled

to my feet. The air is moist with

cutting back, opening the slats of

the long fence to the open air,

free of the pressure of wood.

Some renewal fidgets in me.

The pile of severed branches grows

around my walking boots. It is joy

I have not felt in a life too cluttered

with projects that choke the wood

of my own boundaries.

Joy sighs among the trees.

My wife drives up and parks in the garage.

She walks out to see my slim trees breathing

fresh air unfettered.

I, light now, feel her warmth in

the sun-streaked air

and the trees, so uncluttered now

begin to grow new branches around us

and another story finds a small space

to take root with no fenced limits

to frame its surrender.

©2017 Branching Out Dennis Patrick Slattery

http://www.dennispslattery.com/
copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved