A Very Tall Pine Tree in Time of War
Today I was walking at the edge of a park
about to cut across the grass
when I felt compelled toward
a tall pine tree up ahead
and changed course to approach it
and try to see it, honestly
and silently direct my gratitude toward it
****
And I considered the work it has been doing
purifying the air
providing for other creatures
including the humans
who have been speeding past in our
cars spewing exhaust on our way to
squander in excess, recklessly, the
planet’s resources
And with all our noise and thoughtless activity going
on around it
has been
the tree
there
working
****
There is war in the world today
as there has been
and those
not part of it
in the midst of it
perhaps silently
working