Xyloid hymn

"Xyloid Hymn in the Windbreak"

The pine trees do not sing; 
they rub their dead branches together 
until its resin warms.

It is an instrument 
made of split grain and dry beetle holes, 
tuned only to the northern gale.

We listen with our ears pressed 
to the rough bark, hearing 
the slow, wooden creak of wood

that spent a hundred years 
learning how to bend
without breaking off at the root.

.