Old Oak

dark green moss and
grey lichen
adorn branches
above a slow

river bend
just below
the inn’s balcony
symbiotic growth

much younger than the
the curvy white
oak bending
like ancient script —

pointy leaves
spreading into a
canopy to
catch the sun —

its shadow protects
Boysenberry vines
and bugs for the
birds to eat

and I must say perhaps too
gives us great shade
while keeping the
wading water cool.