13-28-09
To be a Tree
The tree does not feel anger
despite the frost, despite the heat
she merely continues to grow
to bring green life to the air
to breathe her life-giving oxygen
into every living thing
through no penultimate desire
for good company or human profit
but simply because that is her purpose
to breathe.
taking in pollutants
the exhalations of the "master race"
nutrients from the leavings of others
miraculously transformed within
creating thoughtless beauty
her PURPOSE is beauty
and she needs no ulterior motives
Oh, to be the tree.
not to be judged by other trees
a tree cares not for differences
a tree does not listen to people
who say awful or nice things
about the tree
a tree does not care
whether it stands out in the forest
she cares for the sun
she cares for rain, and good soil
she cares for the insects that feed on her
the animals that profit from her shade
on a hot summer's day
the continual processes of life
progressing from lively spring
to hot summer
crisp autumn…
Oh, Autumn!
then Lady Tree is in full form
the glory of her multifaceted limbs
as they burst in flames of pigment
changing day by day by day
until every last brightly-colored leaf
is torn from her in the maelstrom of the wind
whirling and swirling the colors through the sky
landing in heaps upon the ground
to crunch and crinkle underfoot
in Autumn she is joyous
In autumn she is desolate
for when her leaves have all left her
she enters the quiet slumber of winter
to sit and wait, pondering
while blanket after blanket
of cold frozen ice
hides her from the bright sun
chills her muddy roots
saps her life-giving energy
but the Tree does not despair.
the Tree does not worry about the Future
the Tree does not fear that she will die
she waits.
until Springtime comes again
as though bursting with full reserves of energy
her life-giving force blooms in a shower of petals
effusing the air with the sweet scent of freshness
her delight in the Spring does not diminish over the years
she does not think this Spring any less
for the fact that it is the same as the last
each year is a new life, a new chance to change the earth
The Tree has no fear.
Oh, to live like a Tree!