Certain trees are deep green and full
and evenly shaped. Most others,
although they grow fully in the sun

and are well watered, are sparse in some
places, irregular, the wrong color, or
bent in an unattractive way.

It seems as though happiness is easy
when you are perfectly meted and life bubbles out
unrepressed from a continuing cold spring.

Perhaps this is why small people prefer
to trim an irregular tree, harness it
with ropes, feed it chemical potions.

There are others who find the crooked charming,
more remarkable for the flawed limbs.
And nearly all trees make do

with what they have. Acceptance
comes early, if there ever was
much of a struggle to let it in.

But I also admire the leaves’ search for
the unshaded area, the roots that stretch
for what gives the fuller life.

For me, the struggle to be full is everything.

Mike Forecki is a semi-retired attorney who lived in Eau Claire for over 30 years. Read more from Mike.