a tree grew on the banks of the bayous
shadowed for long periods but with filtered sun
enough to thrive and reach out over the waters
it sheltered nutria beneath its shade
sometimes a human would rest there
in verdant silence undisturbed and find
a moment of stillness would settle their mind
the tree’s gift, drawn up from deep roots
offered to any who drew near
but the tree became tall and the bayou traveled
so one day men came with saws
the noise they made filled the air
each cut into the bark shriller than the last
at the end as they left, they looked back at the clearing
stopped in their tracks by a sudden peace
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