The surface circles of age
ring with echoes of Christ.
Perimeter forensic specialists gauged
was last night\'s costly forest heist.
Hear queries now \'bout its life:
What\'s the center heart of this tree
a floor to build a dream,
A house, gable, or balcony,
some sacrificial scheme.
By choice this timber gave its heart?
for soles of human feet
No voice while limbs were sawn apart
Nor balk when sap ran deep.
Able to reason and desire
dare it, I dominate?
Its reach for sun, even higher
and moisture, long roots snake.
Did I decide my arms to grow
higher fruits go begging?
Under shade for picnics we go
relationships spreading.
Take the heart of another man
for my own need or want
To that I have no moral claim
on him my power flaunt.
Generations over centries\'
visited this place.
Is our cherished humanity
forever in disgrace?
Augustus / Folsom, LA / March 2017