we grew together

what took me by surprise
as you unfurled to the sun
was that i grew beside you

you first opened your eyes
and took root with glory
while i gained more rings

i feared that every rainfall
would strip your new leaves
but instead more bloomed

i spread a canopy over you
bore witness to your beauty
separate but sturdier

and so we grew together
leaning closer to the light
with every new season