Poem: Tree Troubles


Tree Troubles

A new family moves
into the house
with the oak tree
in its yard.

They are nice enough people, even host
 a party to introduce themselves
to the neighborhood,
hanging a big piñata off the tree.

The kids from the neighborhood
all show up to whack at it,
split it open and grab
fistfuls of candy from the ground.

That piñata must have been
what set the tree off:
it just didn’t feel respected
with the family getting familiar so quick.

Now, the tree wants to move,
sends a note to your daffodils
asking if they will let it crash
in that extra bed.

You’ve always liked that tree,
but when it is suddenly there
blocking the view, blotting out
the sun.  What an imposition.

And the neighbors:
they think you shoveled their yard apart
in the middle of the night
to steal it yourself.

But the tree won’t even talk to them,
wants to run away now
and join the forest.  If only it still
had roots in the community.

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