This Is Where

by Columbine

This is where a tree grew
Full and green and whispering
The stump can't tell you anything
Of what this place was like
This is where the shade swayed
Soft and sweet and sheltering
Effortless remembering
And courage through the night
Leaves spun down like questions
And squirrels shook the firmamant
Until it seemed as permanent
As knowing your own name
Violets and toadstools
Giggled tales of used-to-be
I knew there was a place for me
I thought could stay the same
Sawdust in the noon light
Concentric rings like reference books
The sunshocked grass all wilted looks
So-there and serves-you-right
To leave your heart around on
Somebody else's property
Who wasn't here to plant the tree
But cut it down last night
Wood chips in my pocket
A twist of hair on broken bark
Forgot before the sky is dark
Just tokens of farewell
But raindrops on the bare wood
When I'm already home in bed
I feel them on my sunburned head
It's chainsaw oil I smell

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