A Young Sapling

That person is a very young sapling.
If, wondering whether that young tree has put down roots,
you keep pulling it up,
and plant it back in the ground if the roots have not grown,
and pull it up again when you wonder,
and plant it back again because the roots have not grown,
will the tree not wither and die?
Is that all you have to do for them?
When the wind blows, you should be a windbreak;
when the heavy rains come, dig a furrow;
pray that no insects get into it,
and heap up the soil around its roots — yet
all the words you speak carelessly to that fragile spirit
become very deep wounds to them.
Be still and wait more patiently.
When your prayers have filled their measure and the time comes,
they will put down roots on their own
and come into bloom.