If I Were A Tree Poem by Oni Lasana

If I were a tree
I would never be
a tree dogs paused to pee
On my head would be leaves of dread
Under my feet would lay the dead
Thru my branches my sun would gleam
By my side flowin'...my cousin Stream
Deep in my arms...no one can see
Nesting in peace
bird families

'If I were a tree' I would be a sycamore
No man would hang from
a transformed door
I would be shade for lovers to rest
Standing tall no matter how small
That would be me
a sycamore tree.

'If I were a tree' I would be a palm tree
blowing in the breeze
Going with the flow...humble
down on knees
Cool...laid to the side
Resting in the sand
Caribbean pride
Contemplating pirates
Discovering me

'If were a tree' I'd be a coconut tree
Offering shelter water food
Nurturing hue-mans the best I could
I'd be in plain sight near the sea
palms waving to everyone to see
Towering as I was meant to be
my creator's vision
I'd just be me
a coconut tree.

If I were a tree
A bamboo patch I'd be
Never alone, always together
'Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable'
So it is with me
Strong powerful music I'd make
Holding up building
Original...not fake
Bamboo...bamboo, Bamboo
I like calling my name
Don't you?

If I were a tree, I'd be a baobab
Reaching out...older than time
Shading griot's under African sun
Listening to poets rhythm rhyme reasons
Village children sit beneath me
Listen to stories, set them free
Learning African his/her story
Rooted unmovable
that is me.
If I were a tree
A baobab
I'd be.

7-28-2013
(C) 2013 Oni Lasana