a fine development of that opening saying. Wonderful.

Hahahahahaha! And STILL no one is there to hear his sounds...screaming sounds that is ;-) Great accompaniment to the other side of that 'dignified' tree's coin...but then again, nature is only dignified to a certain point. Once the camel's back breaks upon the drop of that proverbial last straw, well then watch out nature's retribution! And who is more qualified to piss off nature than "man"? hahahaha ;-)

Yes, the other side of the picture. But again yes, the tree's will leave this 'fallen' man alone, refusing to even acknowledge the fall.The tree shall stand alone, growing towards the open sky, while rooting deeper and deeper in the ground, as it grows. This growth has a base.

I love the word "shed" for the trees' abandonment of their dignity-- I have this image of them just shrugging it off, like one might shed a leather jacket before jumping into a brawl. Great word choice.

I see this as an ecological commentary, the sense of unity of all living things... well... all things, ultimately... The author's note adds a little something that reversed the meaning I got from the poem. But I am glad you mentioned the connection with a previous poem. Good work.

I agree Laura. trees would ne'er think to do what humans do so habitually one to the other and so unconscionably and trippingly off their tongues or off their bosoms and I would trip off my own tongue and say hurrah, Laura, for your preference of nature o'er man. a king or a queen I would crown a spruce or a fir and know it would rule quietly and justly and ne'er be in need of reverance or hit me in the purse.

Okay, this made me smile for the first time today. It's hard to get the first smile out of me! :) Great read.

Ah yes, this works well with the other poem.