Elderberry, I never

thought you would

become an umbrella

 

When I first encountered you

in the shade of forest

you were but a shy thing

 

thin in between

hundreds of others

a slender medicine

 

But there you are

spread over the north

side of my backyard

 

where no trees

take what

is yours

 

And with added light

you have grown wide

into an over arching provider

 

for insects and birds populating

your fragile blossom scented branches

where berries burst into sunshine, summer

 

Every bare December

should I cut you

back to the ground?