Growing the Forest

When your mother dies

you grieve,

vow to change,

say a prayer,

plant a memory tree.

 

When your father dies

you swallow hard,

set yourself square,

curse all his mistakes,

and seed an oak.

 

When your brother/sister dies

you cry

for the good times,

regret their bad ones,

carve their dreams in evergreens.

 

When your wife, husband, lover dies

you sunder and wail,

fumble for reunion,

finally settle enough

to sow a weeping willow.

 

When you die

the world will bury you

or spread your ashes

in the peace forest

you have mournfully grown.