Neighbors insisted I take down the old maple
when its branches split, endangering the passers-by.
Clearly it was rotten to the core of its ringed
history. It sighed goodbyes to nesting birds, brushed
wind’s dust on its wrinkled cheeks, and dug in toes
for one last dance, welcoming new wood-eating loves.
I heard the truck rumbling from far away the day it
came to save the street from natural death’s time table.
Five years later, a stump still holds its backyard place,
and one burl sits in my home as a hand-turned bowl.
The burl bowl is cracked from use, just as its Mom broke.
Yet the maple's seedlings root in my backyard hedge.
And what takes root from me? A few volumes printed
on another tree’s remains, some words of lost trees, words
of grief and how grief turns into love, words of
hollow social practices and how they can be changed--
how they must change when they harm our neighbors,
nations and spirits. And yet, how I miss my tree.
Posted at earthweal weekly challenge:
"WHAT HAPPENS TO ONE, HAPPENS TO US ALL"
(This is outside the boundaries of this week's topic, but I think it fits in a strange way.)
Wow
ReplyDeleteWe pay attention to small harms, yet ignore the large ones. Losing a beloved tree is indeed cause for grief, however necessary.
ReplyDeleteIt fits PERFECTLY. That was a huge old giant, so sad that it came down, but I know the pressures neighbours put on us. Some people look at trees and see only potential danger - yet never think of limbing and buttressing as possibilities. Yes, you must miss that wonderful tree. I know the relationships one can have with trees. I had huge maples in the yard when I lived in my little trailer. The burl bowl is quite wonderful, and I am thankful new little shoots are popping up out back. Your house looks so cute and I love all the wild green around it. I hope that old tree in front never has to come down. Love seeing you at earthweal, Susan.
ReplyDeleteThis was a really heartbreaking tale, and took me completely by surprise. There is something tragic in the loss of a tree. There was a tree outside my bedroom window as a kid until one of the neighbours campaigned to have it removed from the planting bed, which is now full of nothing but weeds. This reminds me of the message in Blake's 'The Garden of Love.'
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous Susan. It is sad we lose so many trees especially to new development. The message in this is strong and beautiful like a tall oak! Sometime I will try to join y'all and participate at Earthweal.
ReplyDelete