In October, I wanted to undress like the trees.
I waited for them to find me—
owls, squirrels, hawks, termites—
I let them strip my bark. Let them think
my leaves were painted
gold for them. I hardly even noticed
a difference. It’s the cycle of life to lose.
Now it is spring and I am screaming
in the wind—give me my bark!
Mariele Wassom is a poet who lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She is a creative writing student at the University of Mary Washington where she edits The Rappahannock Review. Her work can be found in The Aubade, Moonstone New Voices: Spring 2025 Anthology, and Apotheca Magazine.