Tower of Leaves

Tower of Leaves and who'd have ever thought that the tower that I built was afraid of lazy rot and stood on just one stilt? its foundation had long failed and the roots were creeping in but still the tower strained against nature's cruelest whims Branches invaded the floorboards a crime of violence and finesse their woody claws grasping uselessly unfurling in duress they slithered along the mouldings and lumbered up the walls they clung grimly to the rafters staring down upon the hall And when they crack the gables and meekly kiss the air they dream of being able to reach higher than they dare But they could climb no higher than the whipping winds allowed So they take up their own residence greenly rooting in the clouds Their leaves burn vibrant auburns in an homage to the Sun And their crying veins shine brightly A living, dying pun And still the leaves stretch higher Grasping vainly towards the Moon One withers atop the spire One leaf, One life, Too soon. E.M.