circular staircase

Miles of roots seeking
Deep in the damp dark earth
My ability to thrive
Renders me invisible
Pass me by with an absent smile
See me without seeing me

If I were fragile
you would know I could break
Storm ravaged, wind stripped
Bruised branches, bleeding sap
Weeping weariness to the leaf littered layer below

If I were beautiful
Someone would stop
Admire how the breeze runs its fingers through my leaves
Stroke the curves of my limbs
Marvel in my many shades of silver green verdant

But I am plain strong
Tears leach into my far flung roots
From people who mourn in my shade’s comfort
And then walk away refreshed without looking back
As I fade into the scenery