Tree Talk

When soft zephyrs are stirring arbor leaves Words may be overheard whispered from trees. Leaned against a trunk, my ears on alert, This ranger heard soft words from a filbert. A long-limbed water oak, leaning half bent, Wryly some cross-cultural humor lent: “An ancient Sawtooth oak nearby is king His wide girth makes him The Lord of the Rings.” Wanda the willow was awash in woes, Dripping with languid leaves down to her toes, Wondering if she would live some morrow With strong upright arms as a saguaro. A stately stout chestnut amidst the grove Is the President tree where children rove. One, draped on a limb, attention to gain Fell; our President said, “I feel your pain!” A gnarly bald cypress with knobby knees Said, "When I tumble down, promise me please My fallen large trunk you will boldly seize And shape it a ship's bow to sail the seas." A maudlin Mulberry preached and raved Saying, “A fallen log cannot be saved.” Yet Salty dogs yelled, “Shiver me timbers!” On caravels of north wood, once limber. An adjacent Scotch pine needled me too, “Pine nuts are better than ice cream for you.” Feeling that his advice was out of bounds I arose to resume my forest rounds.