dendrochronology

by Hannah Henley

strip the clothes from my back 
chip away at what remains  
of my lasting 
bits  
       pieces 

unlock what once closed 
your chasm   
whom you won’t allow 
entrance  

stay close with me now 
hold tight 
lock your hand within mine 
grip shared time 
pursue the impermanence  

let down your sorrows 
place burden on 
my shoulders  
they will hold what is 
needed 
to withstand this time 

open 
five fingers in your eye 
evil has no reign here 
prophets of our lasting  
time will show 
in rings of  
trees  
crevasses  
in our hands