Mutual

Mutual

Through the heatwave -

You stand tall against the burning sun -

Xylem coursing -

Veins protruding -

Leaves drying, falling -

Bark cracking -

Limbs creaking -

Fear exuding -

Pheromones screaming -

“Hold me!”

Senses morphing -

Girth holding -

Stomata breathing -

CO2 absorbing -

Oxygen exhaling -

Oxygen absorbing -

CO2 exhaling -

Anxiety lifting -

Sky shifting -

Rain gifting -

Thirst quenching -

Mycorrhizal sharing -

Roots connecting -

And as I walk beside you -

Barefoot -

Respectful -

Allegorical -

Transformational -

This feels like the very definition of -

“Mutual”.

A Wensley

27.07.2026

Inspired by the pheromones released by a tree at Othona and a conversation about the origins of the word "Mutual" amongst the poets present at the July Jawbone Workshop.