embiggening

you grow up from the ground
branches rip like knives 
stabbed in and torn down
with the weight of expectations
in your shallow skin

your leaves drip with ice
brittle and harsh
warning
toughen up your fingertips
they cannot hurt you

on your bark is morse code
fragmented speech
that can't connect
with
cracks and line breaks
look at me

infinite skies sink into the night,
stars shine on you
stars will shine on you
thank them
breathing
you will be fine