Bare Bones

They stand in the knife-like light of
the November moon. White and red oak,
mockernut hickory, and yellow poplar —
unclothed, their naked limbs reach
for both sky and each other — touches of
growth and admiration.

We are born naked and die naked —
bare skin opening and closing that
shimmering door — our beginning
and end.

Clothing covers all, hiding truth.
But skin cannot lie, not now, not ever.

Gary D. Grossman
Salvation South, October 21, 2023