A Tree Falls (Lonerness)

A leaf in Autumn descends as will the
Genteel foliage follow thereafter--and
The people take notice, take pictures
While witnessing the splendorous
Retirement of life; the collective
Beauty, a colorful theory inspires
Arts & Crafts; specimens of science,
Once green, gathered when a mature
Photochromic red, are pressed in books;
Weathered dry-brown, aerodynamic
Acrobatics give the air grace and the
Earth a delectable crispy-crunch.

Whereas, stands tall, the tree, eventually
Naked, exposed, a pitiful sight; the fact
That the sap is too demurely pronounced,
Is obstinately proud in the forest amongst
The evergreens--and the people, minus
An appreciative few, are unaware, nor
Care (not even when lightning strikes!) if
The Sugar Maple tumbles in the woods;
Frightening is the fall when in a (sub)urban
Cohabitation; rotted by the environment or
By unwelcome age, the toppled tree is no
Longer honored, what with destroying
Property, harming human life; despised for
The assumed importance, for the attention-
Getting philosophy, the horizontal existence
Is cut/chopped to pieces and burned.