A Man to a Tree, on Building a Treehouse

Friend tree,
I come to you with implements of construction
to pierce your side
with steel spikes long as those held Christ on the cross

I ask your forgiveness
perhaps your indulgence
and promise I will make it as quick and clean as I can
for your sake
and for those of my children.

I have three of them
Thick as my fingers, long as both hands held together
and a drill
given to me by my mother's father
Still mighty from the age of war machines.

I bought you at great price
knowing I would do this to you.
not for the salvation of all men
but for the enjoyment of my children.

Packerton, IN

I think
this town's main economy
is the county landfill.
Which may also be
the source of it's lawn ornaments.

There are six lawnmowers and
a playground merry-go-round
but the centerpiece would have to be
the Coke machine.

Orange and white
It sits by the roadside
tipped precariously back towards the lawn.

The sign reads:

QUARTERS ONLY
NO NICKELS DIMES
OR PENNIES NO
CANADIAN MONEY

Edvidence, I think
That I do not want to meet the owner.

Or
That I could probably get a pop for two nickels.

But also
That someone must check this thing daily
that the machine is stocked
and the pop is probably ice cold.

Perhaps I'll contribute to the local economy.

My gloved hands find
Massachusetts, Indiana
and a spare key---
enough to test my theory.

Two clinks and a tap
on ROOT BEER in magic marker
rattle down
a frosty can of Mug.

And I wonder if that means
that those six lawnmowers
would start on the first pull.

a e k