Catalpa

The mighty Catalpa rises to the sky

One hundred feet or more

I do not lie.

It’s girth is six feet, maybe more

Its aspect grand

I do assure.

But a crevice looms great and wide

Marring its structure

And the strength inside.

So now two men armed with sharpened saws

Mount swiftly its lofty reach

Without a pause

And limb by limb they take it down

The crashing branches

Hit the ground.

Sad though it is that it must go

Its memory lingers in the air

As young trees grow.