Tree in the Yard

"Tree in the Yard"

On a mesa, up river, not far...

There it stood, between green field and yard.

Clad in bark of silver like a star,

Rippling, coarse bark rough - armor hard.

Dangle dancing branches to the ground,

Roots reach for deep water, earth bound,

Sweet swaying song a symphony's sound.

Arms stretch! Three of me to go around.

Magnificent, full, this giant tall,

Thin clean leaves, by the thousands each fall,

From its endless heights, hear the birds call!

Spring blossoms from buds, I can recall.

Beyond this titan, golden meadow,

Waves tall of blooming seed, to and fro.

Trunk, limbs - sailing ship ready to go!

Here, near a great grass sea it did grow.

Sometimes a strong tower to defend,

Great castle, when summer days extend.

Alive with magic! Powerful friend...

Shelter from life's storms, until they end.

Came tragedy to our land, this home,

Took by men in chariots of chrome.

Left without a place, left us to roam,

When they were done, dust where once was loam.

Roar of machine, plumes of smoke scary,

Yellow demon pushed on the prairie.

Our grand tree fell! Sickened? Very!

Shattered, dead, gone... a fallen fairy.

Gone was the tall ship, mast broken, sails ren't.

Fallen were the castle walls, lives spent!

Lost was the fort, defeat apparent,

Destroying magic... no accident!

They built a place where folks are angry,

Brown is the air, hot evenings noisy.

Goodness unfelt, see nowhere beauty...

For power, profit, they killed the tree.

It was not for real need, warmth or wood...

Just grim existence where greatness stood.

Life dreary, without love, hope, or good...

A place forever missed, 'cause they could.

Simply: more people means more money,

Do they even care if it's sunny?

-- J.R.H