force majeure
the trees were laughing
at the incredulous wind
slender fingerlike branches
bending down to the water’s edge
the trees were pleading
to the impossible waters
drowning vulnerable roots
slowly rising from trunk to canopy
the trees were dying
all for the sake of change
self-fulfilling to some extent
but certainly never self-imposed
march two thousand twenty-four
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 
Poignant and prophetic.
Thank you, Chris.