Again,

the grind

and grumble

of saw and blade

disturb.

Air parts,

earth trembles;

Bark,

phloem,

cambium,

sapwood,

heartwood —

bitten,

pierced

and chewed

in joyless

hunger.

Sentinel Maples

or Evergreen Guard,

Merriam or

Addis Oak,

Hickory

or Treebeard –

When next I walk,

whose absence

will

I mark?

— C.Birde, 2/17