Look at me, The Norway Maple Tree!!

LOOK - For if you don't look
You will fail to see well-camouflaged birds flying around
Dipping, landing, pecking at my bare brown branch
Because they know
Spring leaves and fruit looms
For growth
For reproduction

LOOK CAREFULLY
See the node-like buds on my branches
Buds that once felt lonely during winter because not one passerby dare lift their eyes upwards
Now these buds are covered on 5-point maple leaves
The 'green' so ripe that without thinking pedestrians glance up
Except now they still may not see my buds
As the leaves now romance them
And once again they become hidden, but no longer lonely

LOOK DUTIFULLY
For the straight lines down on the veins of leaves, mimicking traffic
Look for the flat at the base of my leaves, sympathizing with car tires buckling from way too much load
Look for the milky fluids I produce as I watch nursing mothers avoid their babies
"Don't worry child, I got you!"
Look - for the breeze - the season's changed and though you may not want to, you will realize that my presence has too
Because now even without my command, I can feel you LOOKING!!
One again, I'm a visible part of the landscape
If only, you just LOOK!!

- Yolanda Simmons for Urban Advantage, NY