The Doves And The Tree Poem by RIC BASTASA

what i first see are the doves hovering on the tree
they are many and the tree looks as though its leaves are plenty

for one thing
the doves when they hover
they hover together
as a flock
and when they leave
they also leave together
as a flock
and the tree can do nothing about it

and thus it happens
the doves all left at the same time leaving the tree to the truth
of its existence

it has no leaves at all this summer
when hot is really hot in here
when all the doves fly away together

the tree
looks like the thin, worn fingers of a very old man
opening, stretching to the skies
praying for mercies

and what about it God?