a tree's base

is all there is

where once

green leaves

umbrella-ed

the ones

beneath

protected

and housed

plants

as well as

animals

all alike

now wasted

cut up,

burned in less

than a month

a  century

it took

from seed

to maturity

remember

this last

winter's chill

sub-zero

temperatures

to cold

to live

out doors.

No! This oak

tree's life

was not

entirely wasted

Its stump a seat

where lovers meet

and share

their tongues in kiss

the tree base

still provides

a surface like

a picnic table

a display

for food and games

to sit on to lay on

and get laid on.

This tree base

is marred by

chainsaws

waiting next

to the path for

those needy

travelers who long

for its services.

In the off-tourist

season, it's a plateau

and sunning spot

for a lizard couple.

Age rings of

time tell their own

story from way back

and a sappling

at the base

slowly stretching

towards the heavens

confirms that

fertile ground

and good seed

is all we need

to live forever.

helmut s. 6/98 

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