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Romantic Trees
(A Pastoral Allegory for Romance in Middle Age)

The oak and the willow
sit on opposite sides of the river.
They are fond of each other
and talk frequently.

"I like the way your beautiful branches
sway in the breeze," says the oak.
"And I like the strength of your branches
that resist the breeze," says the willow.

"Would you like to sit beside me?" 
"You know I would," says the oak,
"but my roots are too deep."
"As are mine," says the willow.

They sit in silence until the oak continues.
"We are the lucky ones, you know."
"Yes we are," says the willow,
"we are not the acorns
that float down the river
and rot against the dam."
"Yes, we are fortunate to have taken root
here on the banks," says the oak.
"If only our seeds had landed on the same side," laments the willow.
"I wish it were true," laments the oak.

Sometimes,
when the wind blows hard enough,
their branches almost touch.

Secret Friendships

In a coffee shop
on a busy street
in a college town
a young man
and a younger girl
are sitting at separate tables
back to back
intently occupied
unaware of each other
He writes a story.
She reads a book.

He stops his work.
His face looks sad.
A critical voice
has seized his labor
and discarded it as trash.

The girl puts down her book
and begins to tap her foot impatiently
and does not stop until
he continues writing his story.

Secret acts of friendship
happen quietly
under water
like pretty fish
kissing.

Haiku #1

Dried sex stains the bed sheets,
memories of last night's fun.
She makes coffee.

The Dance

They float in liquid grace
but do not know the steps.
And every time they become entwined
he prefers to stay that way.

He likes the knees that nudge,
the toes that touch,
the mistakes that evoke
her pretty apologetic smile,
and a reason to return
to a simpler, closer step.

Form gives way to feeling.
The Dance gives way
to the soft sculptural fit
of the woman in his arms.

(1998)

© Copyright, 2000, Alex Michael Shafer.
All Rights Reserved. Printed By Permission.