GODLOVER

Godlover, walking cracked narrow sidewalk
dissecting asphalt road and vast parking

lot, searches for a tree. Finds one and talks

softly to green leaves, touching its bark and

thinking of some unknown axman who broke

the rules. He studies those thick, flexing roots --

how they’ve crumbled layered pavement that choked

them, keep searching for water. His worn boots

lift to find a seedling barely visible

in sparse earth. He sits, honoring rare shade.

Considers his species, how its able,

though dwindling, to war with nature. He’s made

mistakes himself, he admits. He may stay

here a while, view constant scorched sky, and pray.

Roger Armbrust

October 9, 2015