Big branch of that old redbud tree split away
gave up the ghost at last in this dry hot summer.
But now it lies horizontally stretched across
behind the bird feeder offering many perches
for the cardinals, sparrows, chickadees, jays
and yes, starlings who come to visit and eat.
I cannot help but feel it makes a pretty
sculptural addition to the yard and having
no chainsaw anyway why not leave it just
as it is, au naturel, in the way of the woods
that I do so love, where whole trees fall,
the creek erodes its banks,
and all is ever changing?
Until it falls completely down
whyever not?