FALL/ WINTER 2013

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Andrew Boerum

A TREE

I wouldn't chop down a tree
I heard some trees live long
As many as 300… even 200 years!
That's 4 times as long as I'll be around.
If I planted a tree on the day I was born
Then cut it down the day of my death
Well, that would be like killing 3 of me
Who would I be to do such a thing?
No, I wouldn't cut down a tree
Unless it seemed the right thing to do.
Like a sick tree in 2032
who said to me "I don't wanna see 2033
Cut me down please"
Then I would cut down a tree.
Then I would cut down a tree.
Someone once told me twice
That trees breathe.
That trees breathe
And I said "that's neat
But they also help me breathe
And that's twice as neat"
I wouldn't cut down a tree today
Even if tomorrow weren't to be
Or if God said straight to my face
"Son, go now and cut that tree down"
I would say back to God "No, you cut that tree
I wouldn't do such a thing
Not even on your orders
That tree will see the end of this war
The end of you
The end of Allah and maybe even
the fall of Wal-Mart
Who would I be to take that tree down?"
It's wrong, I couldn't...
Not on her watch, my knee
Would I cut that thing down
Even if that tree were my wife
And I was suddenly wrong
In a long discussion
About chores undone
I wouldn't cut that thing down!
I love that tree!     


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