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The Case Against a Sugar Maple
by Beth LaBuff In a clearing of a forest, In the gusty frigid air, A small arboreal assembly Launched a civic woods affair. 'Twas a hearing, in this clearing, Of a sugar maple tree, To ascertain her state of mind, To gauge competency. Witnesses were singly summoned Forth and testified. The conifers and evergreens, Compelled by law, complied. Presiding o'er this hearing was The magistrate, a fowl. And all esteemed the wisdom Of the worthy great horned owl. The first to testify, blue spruce, "She's a pathetic sight, High atop a branch she keeps A tethered kite in flight." "Perhaps she has a syndrome Or is daft, to some degree. Her trunk is thick, her branches dense. She seems out of her tree." "Your honor, I have knowledge of Some things we can't condone. She runs a house for boarders though For business, she's not zoned." "When frigid weather hit, birds flew Eviction of her tenants! For this and other crimes we must Insist this tree do penance!" "Without a permit, rodents came. They brought some nuts and fruit. A hollow branch her doggie bag Where squirrels stashed their loot." A charge of "addled" pierced the chill. Her verdict appeared dim. As if to validate their claim, Her kite looped 'round a limb. The owl reminded witnesses, His words abrupt and blunt, "You can't pronounce her guilty, Assume she's innocent." Then douglas fir confided to The court, his voice austere, "I've witnessed bats fly unimpeded In her upper sphere." "Masked bandits came with banded tails, Were harbored from the law. She should be hewn for firewood Before the first spring thaw." "One final thing to seal our case, A proof you can't ignore, She doffed her crimson autumn coat Littered our forest floor." As ending arguments were heard, In blew a balmy breeze. Soon buds appeared on maple's limbs She sprouted bright green leaves. To their surprise, the robins then Returned to build their nest. The plaintiffs, without arguments, Receded to the forest. Owl hooted, "Whooo'll accuse you now? There's none left in our midst." She clapped her limbs together. The owl sighed, "Case dismissed." *** Inspiration: Isaiah 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. KJV Copyright Beth LaBuff 2017 Before Beth LaBuff and her husband, Tilman, moved to the high desert of Arizona, she lived most of her life surrounded by the cornfields of Adair County, Iowa. http://www.faithwriters.com/websites/my_website.php?id=24676 Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |