a good life

a long tree
falls, fat with rain on the slope
behind
the houses,
the fence. the retaining
wall.
it goes gently
against
the other trees,
tearing at the arms,
the trunks
the branches, then lies
down
softly against
the water below.
hardly a whimper.
it had a good life.
this tree.
how many times I've
looked out the window
to watch its changing
leaves
I can't count.
seasons come. seasons go.
trees fall.