travel back now to the home you left

the home from which you were banished

to the doors which you closed behind you

the doors that refused you admittance

paint the walls with your tears

let them run with streaks of icy blue

then throw your laughter bright upon them

and walk away forever this time

the doors thrown open in invitation to all

the house finally empty of all sorrow

leaving only your many discarded faces

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