a sheltering tree

that’s what

         I want to be

to you—

    for you

             —to run to

when the unforgiving sun

beats down

too hard;

or when the cruel rain

         is too much to bear,

               too much

                 to bear

a sheltering tree

      that’s what

          I want to be

                to you—

        for you

—but the thing is

I’m only me…

           only

                me

I’m not really

       a sheltering tree

the best I can do is

           try to be.