Monday, December 28, 2009

Poem for Monday, December 28, 2009


What We Learn from Trees

I. The Junipers in the Man's Front Yard

stand three feet tall
fortify the corner of Oliver & College
solid
humble green sage (is this man
a sage?)
their trunks--light almond, sleek
are magnificent like scoliosis
you'd think they're swaying
with the winter breezes
but they're sturdy, steadfast
oxen bearing hundreds of pounds
with a unified fixed gaze


II. The Christmas Tree on the Concrete

has served its purpose
and now rolls around in a
cruel new milieu
in its artificial spruce glory
pushed back and forth
tauntingly
by two gusts of frigid wind
no ornaments, no lights
not even a discernible base
a wise old tortoise
knocked flat on its back, helpless
as the last Christmas song
drones out


III. The Condemned New England Elm

is two hundred thirty-five years old
dubbed a "local treasure" in
Yarmouth, Maine
presided over America
during all its red-white-blue wars
but none of this matters
in a few weeks
stainless steel blades will slice
through its diseased trunk
and an old man will cry
while it rains
sawdust

IV. Nothing

lasts
forever

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