it’s because I’ve splintered
in the coldest of winters. Under
my bark after the layers ripped
off is a shark!

If I’m hard
it’s because I’ve fell as a stone
from a hundred floors and
shattered my bones. My jagged chips
are now sailing ships.

If I’m hard
it’s because I’ve had men walk
all over me. I’ve crumbled as crimson
leaves under elephant feet. My pieces
crushed. I fly in the wind over lakes, rivers
and mountains.