Foliage Poem by Chase Breeden

I sit in a field surrounded by nothing, and everything
I'm content here, but it's so uncomfortable
I am invincible, but I am vulnerable
I'm young and I will never grow old.

Trees begin to fill what was vacant space around me
They grow so rapidly that it's hard to tell
Whether they are growing, or I am shrinking
I feel small, but I have grown

The foliage, now in full bloom, covers my eyes
Like the moon covers the sun during a solar eclipse
I can hardly see for all the darkness around me
I feel endangered, but I am safe

I look down through the thick blanket of black
I find an axe.
Still dark and alone, I begin to cut.
I feel empowered, but I am weak.

I cannot dismantle this entire forest
I can't do this by myself.
I'm realizing this very quickly
I realize I am weak, but now I am strong

I stop as my discouragement quickly turns to anger
Why won't anyone help me? Don't they care?
Where has everyone gone?
I feel alone in this crowded forest
I scream, but I am silent

The trees retreat to the ground as quickly as they had come
I, again, am confused as to what is growing and what is shrinking.
I look around at this field, now filled with life.
I feel ashamed. I was never alone.