choosing life
when we moved to
Connecticut almost
a decade ago
I had an idea to plant
a tree each year
as a way to mark time
and to leave something
growing when we left
and so I planted two peach
trees over two summers
today I cut them down
not because they were dead
but because we also tell
time by schnauzers
and one who was not here
when I planted the trees
but has been here
when the meager harvests
fall to the ground faster
than we can pick them
and then after the fallen
fruit has rotted away
Loretta carries in the pits
as if they were prizes
to be treasured and
chewed to bits
and swallowed
which turns them into
life-threatening
schnauzer hazards
I chose one life
over two others just
as they were blooming
which gives me pause
as I await the resurrection
Peace,
Milton