THE SECOND TREE

I planted a tree with my son.
They both grew tall.
Wild birds sung in their hair.

His eyes were blue.

On hot summer eves,
The leaves dappled my bed.
Shadows played there.

The sheets were cool against my skin.
The sheets were cool as stone.
Upon my body,

The leaves played tunes of moonlight
When I went into the garden,

I saw the tree's great roots
Had choked all the flowers.
I could no longer remember them,

Their colors, their scents.
I felt no regret.

Who had shared my bed?

In the corner, near the stone fence,
I found the name of my husband.
On his hard pillow,

I rested my head.
The many-throated leaves of the trees
Sang me to sleep.