If Humans Become Trees

If Humans Become Trees
© Surazeus
2024 12 18

If humans become trees when we grow old 
then I want to become the apple tree 
that grows unseen in the middle of town 
where only children notice my existence 
for they can see the essence of all things 
before words distort what our minds perceive. 

If humans become trees when snowflakes swirl 
then I want to become the white pine tree 
that grows tall on the rugged mountain ridge 
where the prophet who escaped Babylon 
hears voice of God in whisper of the wind 
from the hurricane that destroyed his city. 

If humans become trees when bombs explode 
then I want to become the maple tree 
that grows on lake shore in the wilderness 
where men collect sap and boil it to syrup 
for children from low-income families 
to eat breakfast free before they learn math. 

If humans become trees when stars burn out 
then I want to become the willow tree 
that grows enormous among city ruins 
where mothers take their children to the park 
so they can learn rules of social behavior 
we use to fight civil wars over Heaven. 

If humans become trees when ships collide 
then I want to become the rowan tree 
that grows from cemetery of dead gods 
where storytellers memorize burned books 
which recount history of Gothinia 
till it was conquered by invading hordes. 

If humans become trees when gods depart 
then I want to become the olive tree 
that grows from rotting corpse of Artemis 
who wins election as the President 
whose policies balance equality 
with individual rights of happiness. 

If humans become trees when cities fall 
then I want to become the walnut tree 
that grows from core of the cathedral nave 
where wingless angels design and build planes 
so we can fly to Heaven in the clouds 
where Jupiter reigns on his crystal throne. 

If humans become trees when kids are born 
then I want to become the chestnut tree 
that grows in courtyard of the sprawling house 
where descendants of the mad scientist 
cherish illusions of religious faith 
through banana republic of the world.