Charity Bryson

maidu tribes say
when the sun slides into the heart of the sierras
and the dipper spills stars into an indigo sky
and the moon shines a grin of delight
you dance carefree to songs of rattling winds

but as the rays of the sun kiss your needles
sparkling with morning dew
too shy to be caught dancing
your branches freeze in a moment of joy

or
are you like trickster coyote
whose song you dance to in the night
tangled branches whirling in exultation
tis not shyness that stops you in your dance
but the end of coyote’s song

so your secrets are held from daylight intruders
your spirit rejecting conformity
branches dancing
swaying
free