How do you bear it
year after year —
no ability to run away,
only to accept or deny, but never to act?
 
The weather pours down upon you
sometimes kind and nourishing,
sometimes fierce and unyielding.
 
Today the snow stiffens 
the coat of frozen rain from yesterday. 
Your branches hang pendulous 
down your sides,
each needle holding its own 
strand of snow-ice.
 
I am uncertain
whether to admire your new garment 
or pity you 
wearing new shoes that feel like cardboard.
 
How I wish I could free you --
climb each branch,
shake it free 
do for you what you dream of for yourself.
Put aside lack of action,
shake off vulnerability,

teach you what that feels like 
to move as you wish 
even if only for one day.