On killing a tree

It takes much time to kill a tree,

Not a simple jab of the knife 

Will do it It has grown

Slowly consuming the earth

Rising out of it feeding

Upon its crust absorbing

Years of sunlight, air, water,

And out of its leprous hide

Sprouting leaves

So hack and chop

But this alone won't do it

Not  so much pain will do it 

The bleeding bark will help 

And from close to the ground 

Will rise curled green twigs

Miniature boughs

Which if unchecked will expand again 

To former size 

No,

The root is to be pulled out -

Out of the anchoring earth;

It is to be roped , tired, 

And pulled out- snapped out

Or pulled out entirely,

Out from the earth - cave ,

And the strength of the tree exposed 

The source, white and wet

The most sensitive,hidden

For years inside the earth.

Then the matter

Of scorching and choking

In sun and air,

Browning,hardening

Twisting, withering,​​​​​

And then it is done.