Alice Chu

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The Best Poem Of Alice Chu

A Neighbor Is Cutting His Ash Tree Down

a mature tree in his front yard.
My heart pangs for a split second.
O! It hurts.

Yesterday, coming home from work, I was shocked to see
all the leafy branches cut down and laid on the curb side.
The bare tree trunk, still rooted, looked like a skeletal remain,
limbs cut off, begging at the sky.
Denuded and exposed.

Why?
Fear of the emerald ash borer?
All the ash trees in the surrounding area have not been
infested with it.
Yet.

Bad feng shui?
All the previous occupants had left the tree alone.
Should I expect the tree to be completely cut down to the base tomorrow?
Should I be so judgmental of my neighbor?
Should I impose my values on others?

My body will be all right,
The ash whispers in my ear.
I will be the monarchs, the lilies,
the moss and the dragonflies you love.

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