Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

'Wooden'

Kate Brady

by Jennifer Finley

When you feel like a block of wood
when you used to be a branch whipping
up after a lump of snow slid off you,
what are you supposed to do?

You can't become a tree again. You
can't reattach yourself to where you
came from. Yet, you share the same
bark and pulp.

What does all of this mean? What if,
as a block, you finally get to ride
in the back of a truck? Is it worth
your life to have someone's
fingers wrap around you when you're
separated from yourself?

Yes, I know. We all die eventually.
But you don't want your worth
to depend on whether or not some
one reaches out for you and sees
your beauty among all the other trees.

The Write Question blog
The Write Question on Facebook
The Write Question on Twitter
The Write Question podcast

Jennifer Finley

Jennifer Finley (formerly Jennifer Greene) is Salish/Chippewa-Cree. She is the author of two books of poetry and a children's book. She's also an award-winning journalist, a yoga enthusiast, and a playwright. Jennifer was born and raised on the Flathead Reservation where she currently resides. Her poems also appear in anthologies including the latest edition of Poems Across the Big Sky.

Chérie Newman is a former arts and humanities producer and on-air host for Montana Public Radio, and a freelance writer. She founded and previously hosted a weekly literary program, The Write Question, which continues to air on several public radio stations; it is also available online at PRX.org and MTPR.org.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information
Related Content
  • by Jennifer GreeneLight from the sky is precious like sipsof hot tea, a luxury, elite. On my driveto work, I pass through wetlands filledwith Canadian…
  • by Eduardo ChirinosIn days of old, buffalo dotted the plainswith a soft, light brown.Their hooves fearlessly trampled these pastures.This was their home,…
  • by Michael Earl CraigGratitude came downin the form of a goldengrasshopper.Not golden like a bar of gold(an ingot)or golden like honeyor paint on a…