You Be The Jury Poem by Jayatissa K. Liyanage

Break opening hard layers
Digging deep enough in to earth
Planted, nourished and cared well
Fruit trees, to grow and yield fruits

They filled the garden with green ‘n pride
Pleasing eyes heart ‘n mind alike
Healthy and luscious, they came up
with blessings of drops from heavens up

They covered, though the views, behind
Yet, keeping environ clean and pleasant
Supported clothe lines too, of ours
fed inhabitants' souls, hearts and minds

On leaves was food, caterpillars found
Bees foraged on seasonal blossoms
Squirrels ‘n birds enjoyed fruiting times
Shrieking bats kept ours teeth grinding

Pests though, reigned the top, various bugs
On trunk grew fungi, lichens and mosses
Smiling blossomed twigs atop, lifted hopes
Fruits they bore, shared value with neighbors

Yet, falling leaves, twigs, flowers ‘n fruits,
Irritable trash on neighbor's compounds
Failed setting off for values they dispatched
Peevishly remarks, were, constantly heard

Being agonized for near two decades
on bad side of trees, I cared less
Dare not I challenge, but bear the loss
be it the end, and they win, I confess.