The trees gave me a pep talk this morning
as I walked through the cemetery.
You have to get yourself together, girl, they said.
(trees can be kind in their perception of age)
Get rid of all those grey thoughts,
walk tall.
walk proud,
rejoice in the fact you are walking strong at your age.
(kind with a touch of cruel it would seem).
Sure, you are closer to the end than the beginning
but you've had a good run with more good things to come.
Lighten up, breath in, open your heart.
Suck it up buttercup!
(I guess they listen to us talking as we walk)
Take example from our leaves.
They're dying but going out in a blaze of gold and scarlet.
Now, don't you feel better? they said.
I considered and answered truthfully
I do, I do.
And, because I was raised to be polite, added.
And you?
There was a long silence
then, as I was nearing the end of my walk
the wind stirred the leaves.
I heard a soft chuckle and the words
We do, we do.
Thanks for asking.
