I am infinite

though my body

will come to rot,

press your hand

against my skin,

feel 300 years worth 

of strength

of stories

of sheer existence 

coursing through this bark

to let you know

it is okay

to be torn open

just as it is okay

to grow,

it is part of growing.

You will have stretch marks

curves you might not like

bulges you never anticipated,

but you will also find 

softness when you thought 

there was none,

strength when you felt 

as fragile as an autumn leaf,

and beauty from just being.