RebeccaChapa.com

It’s Just an Elm

by Rebecca Chapa

I knew you when I was younger girl it’s been a long long time

Your leafy branches shading me as I took names from the line

On sunny days we would sit together waiting for the rush

You said goodbye on that fall night rustling your leaves in the cold hush

I never knew when I‘d return but thankfully I did

I was glad to see you once again and thought you looked quite big

But now they plot to cut you down and I am overwhelmed

To hear them saying casually, “Well, it’s just an elm”

Were you there to watch the whaling ships return once more to shore?

Peering towards Easy Street climbing as tall as widow’s walks soar

Did I dream I met you lifetimes ago or is that reality

To me you are my oldest friend, so much more than a tree

I thought we had a lot more time, to grow old and settle down

Things won’t be the same without you towering over the town

Just know that you will be missed by many more than me

I pray they leave your stump for us to sit when we grow weary