He offered me a leaf like a hand with fingers.

I offered him a hand like a leaf with teeth.

He offered me a branch like an arm.

I offered him my arm like a branch.

He tipped his trunk towards me like a shoulder.

I tipped my shoulder to him, like a knotted trunk.

I could hear his sap quicken, beating like blood.

He could hear my blood slacken like rising sap.

I passed through him.

He passed through me.

I remained a solitary tree.

He,

A solitary man.