Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Number 4. Okay, it's getting like drawing blood, or having teeth pulled... when does April end again?

Definition of a Tree
.
when climbed, gives a view
of other trees, houses, the street
next door, and the next
.
is not pleasant to lick but
feels good on your palms
.
leaves light green near the stem
yellow near the edges
like glass held to light
shaped like spear heads
not good to eat
.
branches the size of your waist
precarious for balancing
beetles crawl up your shorts
.
leaf cluster at the end of
branches make good
whips for a younger brother
.
bark gets in your hair, knots it
when you shimmy up the trunk
.
the canopy sways when you get to the top
rocks back and forth like a rowboat
mothers scream when they see you
up high
.
in June the pollen floats into your eyes
coats your skin
you can make clouds
when you shake the tree
bring down shards of brown
.
you might be Tarzan

No comments: