A BARREN BEAUTY

Her blackened smooth
And smoky skin
Falls from her trunk
Leaving wood thin
Exposing her fresh tan of gold
Shedding off the bark of old.
Spindly twigs of ochre brown
Hold on for life
As they spin around.
And clusters of fluffy,
Flowers...white
Cling on to leafless
Branchlets...tight.
Her outstretched wooden arms
Reveal nectar dripping...
From her palms.
The Sugar Gum...
With branches bare
A barren beauty
With much to share.

Carey Milton ©