Like trapeze artists
The cherry-picker on high and
Ground crew below
Toss ropes to each other that
Float through air
Until … grasped

They tie and
Knot and
Rig and
Cinch the ropes
Around tree branch and trunk
Until … secure

Such skill and coordination
Strength and communication
To saw precision v-cuts
That gently belay pieces of tree downward
As if on acrobatic silks
Until … they kiss the earth

I can’t turn away
Bearing witness to mourn
Yet fascinated by each stage
Of elective destruction
(I had to, for safety)
Until … the trees are no more

Nothing will ever grow as tall there
During my lifetime
That patch of ground
Will be barren and naked and
My heart will have a hole
Until … something new takes its place.

>>

Inspiration: We had to cut down two very tall trees today (one was 80 feet tall; the other, about 60). They were decaying, and too close to power lines to leave in place. I held out as long as I could … but this was the last resort.