The old pine tree

"The old pine tree  

The old pine tree 

grows quietly, benignly 

over our patio. 

‘Mummy, how does it grow so big?’ 

Jerusalem pine, battle witness, 

now we,  

who witnessed no battles, 

own you. 

Protecting us from heat and light 

and cancer from our closest star 

filament of privacy 

Achilles heel in our security. 

Pruned at the wrong time 

--is there a right time? 

its tears stained our neighbours’ 

new laid stone floor 

and the roof 

of our faithful and robust car. 

And I wonder-- refreshed, spring now 

how come one old pine 

produces so many seeds, 

though they fall on the rough asphalt 

but are carried too, I hope, by the wind. "