Elm Tree
1.
The window frames the elm
with its moss covered gray bark
forked branches, trembling oval leaves
A green bouquet
I wear a green ring purchased in China
For a while I did Chinese Xi Gong exercises for my health
Stood in front of the elm, snaked my body
Sang, "Haaaaaaaaaa"
2.
Tree with holes, knobs, birds, wasps
Rooting into clay
digging, creeping, exploding in juniper
Overreaching
Caruso singing a high note
Opera singer waving to the moon
signing autographs
White mink cape about leafy shoulders
sequined, twinkling suit encasing trunk
the sun of adulation
brings forgetfulness
and dries your roots
3.
The tree crossed by a telephone wire
Listens to
"You're sweet," "I hate her," "What's the recipe"
My phone rang and when I picked it up I heard
Nothing
"Who is it? Who is it?"
My friend Carol had just been run over and killed
her corpse cremated
her soul released and, I thought
caught in the wire
calling
When I glanced across the room and out the window
I saw the elm's leaves quivering with consolations
I slammed the receiver down
The phone kept ringing
until I changed the number
4.
My tall-as-a-tree son comes in
"Hi-yah"
then "See-yah"
The door slams shut
I look out the window at the tree
and think of respiration
of photosynthesis
of in-out
and letting go
5.
A bird darts across the screen of the window
in a sharp, slashing diagonal
Whether it soars up through the tree
or dashes to the earth
is a mystery
I'm blinkered by the frame
I call to the bird, "Come back"
Your coming in
Your going out
Connie
went out to the hot tub place
She knew warm water would purify her
and keep the blood flowing
"See-yah," she told the manager
picked up two white towels and
marched to #3
An hour later he said to the towel girl,
"She's in there pretty long
Tell her she has to pay extra"
The sixteen year old towel girl knocked on #3
"Miss. Oh Miss. Please, it's time."
She turned her key in the lock, peeked in
"Wake up, Miss," she said timidly
then screamed when she saw
Connie's hair and face smeared red
like the bubbling water
6.
I saw a Kabbalistic drawing of a tree
Sifroth for Life and Healing, balloons on branches
I meditate on the elm beyond my window
My eyelids grow paper thin
When I close them I still see
Voices told Orpheus, "Don't look back"
But it happens in a blink
You try to keep pushing sweets in your mouth
Watch sit-coms on television
Listen to New Age music
"How are you?"
"Great."
"Terrific."
"Have another sushi."
You try not to look back
You don't mean to
Then you do it
You look