A woodpecker all made of wood
That pecked itself alive
From in a cedar shook and stood
The sawdust off like I’ve
Yet to see birds born from a shell
Beak up and hammer down
So hard they’d ring high heaven’s bells
If ringers need be found.

They’re many ringed with knotty eyes
That see beyond the bark
Of any living thing disguised
Or hiding in the dark.
They’ve seven hearts of greenest sprouts
That flower in their chest
And make them smell of nectar housed
In fresh cut wooden nest.

Each woodpecker’s a hundred ringed
At least and more exceed
By centuries as a leaf-winged
Born seed inside a seed.
A woodpecker all made of wood
Will peck until its last
Fine splinter splits itself for good –
Rings deep as could be asked.

Illustrated by DALL-E in the style of Lyubov Popova.