Ode to Trees

With arms outstretched, they offer love and nourishment.
We take, year after year, giving nothing in return.
They offer themselves: living cornucopias, for all to take.
They give, still, while bitten by insects, pecked at by birds.
They fan and shade us: when we are too warm:
they take the heat in- upon themselves.

They stand with patient soverenty, the kings and queens they are-
through rains, freezing blizzards, hail, dust, and thunderstorms.

As if that were not enough, they give us raw materials-
for our homes, our furnishings, pencils and papers, and books,
hampers and closets and boats, toys and toyboxes, and guns!
They are very long-lived, if it weren't for our greed.

For all they have given, and wish to continue,
For all they have taught us, of selflessness and love,
For all we have taken, and taken for granted,
We know that we've still not taken enough!

When we take them finally, we take them to death.
We cut down their torsos, their arms and their hands-
We seperate their arteries, their roots, from their heart-
Then, we take their dead pieces, and tear them apart!

Our luxuries, our "necessities", our hunger demands:
It's not enough, just giving while you're alive! ...
You must die for us too, giving us your remains.

Go "hug a tree", while it still lives.
Feel its love, it's hugging you back.
Know how its ancestors died for your pleasures.
Try to keep this one, your friend alive.