day 25; closer still

Pay attention to the trees.
Look at them—closely, closer—
savor how full the branch,
how lush the leaf
whose life-blood spills freely at
the insignificant snag of a shirt.
There’s no harm done—
with such abundance bursting
from every fragrant stem
like an outstretched hand saying,
“Come, sun! I am never done with you.
Fill me—while I am here!”

God, the smell of cedars
by the creekside!
One could drown in the joy of it!

Quickly—Look! Everything’s changing.
Hold fast in your mind
the color, the sound.
It will be gone soon.
Look closely and sweetly,
for death is near.