I promise to be vertical or regular in service of your life

you may grow on me up to here come towards this light

weave yourself around my wood I became for you this structure

to which you can anchor your leaf blossom for me your life

I will not move from my position I am nailed in place now

you are so delicate light I will not worry you with my faults

they are only splinters I will not let them get between this

because I am vertical for you I am your structure‍ I promise

Will Staveley’s poetry has been featured in over 20 journals. He is an Acumen Young Poet and was runner-up for the 2021 and 2024 Erbacce Prizes, and his latest collection was shortlisted for the 2024 Templar Straid Collection Award. He can otherwise be found writing regularly for his Substack, Stillness. *Note, this poem's form is best relayed on a Desktop or Laptop browser.