As we stretch ourselves

towards the sky

we dare not

wither and die

We will twist and bend

away from darkness

lest we be starved

from the light

And weeds will rise up

and strangle us

because of weak emotions

poisonous roots

give immunity

to our pain

while our fruit

glistens

under the sun

even as rusty machines

plow up

potential soil

threatening our aliveness

above the dirt

We get picked and eaten

spit out

and spread out

trampled on

and this cycle

is not to be hated

or loved

So, why do we stretch for the truth?

lest we stop growing

we pray to die

because death is new beginnings

carried by the wind

and planted

for a purpose.