The Marker

It marks its time on earth by resolutely inching toward the sky,
recording memories, sending offspring into the world,
never pausing to question its existence.

Leaves are let go when the time is right.
Still quietly confident, its silhouette now unadorned,
until a thick cloud of foliage is born once more,
and leaning over the asphalt lane,
watches us go by.

hve