Vertical – Linda Pastan

Perhaps the purpose of leaves is to conceal
the verticality of trees
which we notice in December
as if for the first time: row after row
of dark forms yearning upwards.
And since we will be horizontal ourselves
for so long, let us now honour
the gods of the vertical:
stalks of wheat which to the ant
must seem as high as these trees do to us,
silos and telephone poles,
stalagmites and skyscrapers.
but most of all these winter oaks,
these soft-fleshed poplars,
this birch whose bark is like
roughened skin against which I lean
my chilled head, not ready
to lie down.