Chip

I journeyed back to where the seed
became a pliant sprout
and quickly grasped the tragic need
to harbor constant doubt

for many elements can force
a tender stem to bow
by battering without remorse
the strength to disavow.

Environmental factors spurred
formation of a bark
that helps deflect debris that’s stirred
when howling tempests spark

but also hinders any form
of flexibility
with rigidness that borders on
insensibility.