the birch tree

the tree
a river birch
peeling gracefully
in white strips of parchment,
planted long after seed,
for the new owner
in front of the new house,
on the clean
black street
is coming down. the roots
too deep and invasive,
it has a mind
of its own.
taking no care for pipes
or brick.
it does what it wants
as best it can,
being mindless,
being heartless, but
not corrupt, just saying
to itself, this is who I am.