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Yes, he knows it, the difference
between the forest and the trees, and the right one
of those, if he were canine, to bark up.
Boring some days
for a purpose, he can drill with the best
into elm and ash heart wood in search of infestations.
Oh, those homeowner shrub-huggers, who can't let go!
When he prunes, he's a parent doing tough love,
ridding wild growth, lopping and topping,
sparing the young arbor vita future contortions.
Up in his crane box he and his chain saw
make a good marriage, him revving, her throaty,
and when the dead limb sags,
falls and
crashes, she purrs: Cool, dude, cool.
He rages at home, nights,
watching those stories of land mass clear-cutting:
developer generals invading for quick-cash timber.
Easy, calm down, he warns himself.
Work well, one job site at a time.
Tomorrow he'll show the Johnsons
how to water better and let Nina Perez think
planting a Japanese maple was her idea all along.
He spreads it around, his slow-growth wisdom.
© by Richard Swanson.
Used with the author's permission.
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Richard Swanson (1940 - 2023) taught college English and Creative Writing for 33 years. A devoted supporter of libraries and poetry, he was the author of two novels and several poetry collections. A resident of Madison, Wisconsin, Richard enjoyed cooking, fishing, and woodworking. He was well-known for his sense of humor, which was often reflected in his writing.
   
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Jo:
He spreads it around, his slow growth wisdom.
Really enjoyed the whole poem, that last line being so well done I couldn't resist re-writing it.
Great poem, Richard.
Posted 05/13/2013 01:41 PM
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mimi:
good images, good ideas, good flow, good poem! thanks, Richard
Posted 05/13/2013 08:59 AM
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Donna Pflueger:
..when he prunes, he is a parent doing tough love...I love how you captured not only his personality but his connection with the tools of his trade with the stanza about his chain saw - great poem - thanks!
Posted 05/13/2013 08:36 AM
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Gary Busha:
Good dramatic monologue. Nice idea and pace.
Posted 05/13/2013 07:58 AM
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jeanie:
Nice, Richard. We had an arborist work our trees last year. So careful, so in love with the trees, like your first line.
Posted 05/13/2013 07:14 AM
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