there are trees in my neighborhood
more, even, than some suburbs i've seen
where they are all young, propped up by supports
one day they will be like those outside my window
boughs sturdy enough to hold a home for the squirrels,
who otherwise are shunned as a nuisance
leaves plentiful enough to cool the ground,
where without shade i could not lay my head
but, even they are held in place
the branches are manicured, they must not reach too far
the leaves are stolen, they do not feed the earth
they were placed with intent, ever so slightly too far apart
they were made domestic
there are other trees
older and larger still
homes to many
selfless givers to the ground
they placed themselves
these trees are sacred and must be protected
under watchful eyes and surrounded by fences
it is their territory, we are merely guests
only, from the outside it's less clear who is kept out
and who is kept in
~
