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What obligation has the tree to the fruit
the vine to the grape?
Having birthed the seed
what is the duty to ensure it ripens neither
too soon nor too late?
And what of the vicissitude of the weather?
Catastrophe has no feeling for filial dependence
no concern with parental bonds
Storms strike randomly
ripping progeny from stem and branch, leaving
torn, gaping spaces into which
Obligation's energy keeps uselessly flowing
spilled sap
submitted for dVerse Poetics, Duty Calls at dVerse Poets Pub