The Trees
Last year I said: I won't cut them down,
the two Bradford pear trees on my front lawn.
They begin to drop their leaves in August,
and continue long after October's
over. So I mulch some with the mower,
use the blower, and often an old rake.
I forgive them as I forgive some folk.
A tree is just a tree, but I have lived
too long among people who're imperfect
to cut down a couple of trees as if
they are ruled by malice. I have planted
flowers above their roots.