Self-Portrait as Trees

You look yellow. You looklike American smoketree, sassafras, huisache,witch hazel. What about Carolinaholly? Bebb willow? Ashejuniper and scarlet oak? And your wife,is she infected? You can never be sure.When was the last time youwere sugar maple, black spruce, gingko, or white poplar?You look thin. You may make it,or not. We don't knowwhat is wrong but something is wrong.Livers and kidneys fail, marriagesfall apart, men leave their homes, nevergo back. There is a reason why.Why pollen, why bark, why spur, conifer and pitch.When I touch here, here, or herecan you stop shaking?Give me your arm, your shadowmountain ash, your devil's walking stick.Let me see your eastern burning bush.Something is still wrong.Something is tree, leaf, flower, fruit.How do you say your name?Something is still wrong but I do not know what.What I know, it is simply not trueeveryone wants to live.Some of us want to sweetgum, some of uswant to yaupon.It is not true everyone wants to live.Some of us want to honey locust,or hackberry, sumac or soapberry.It is not true everyone wants to live.Some of us simply do notwant to pine, willow, or ash.