The Dividing Tree

Architecture of a Leaf – Lilly Ramsey

The Dividing Tree

James Shulze

Over Yonder says the man

Land stretches as cattle herds

The vast plots have been full of crops for ages

Rich soil thrives with nutrients

The wind blows a certain gust

The smells smell a unique smell

Fresh dew coats the green grass below boots

Farmer Mary tends the crops

A giant’s dinner fork in hand

Bill maintains the abundant animal life

Buck barks boldly to keep sheep in line

Out in the countryside where chickens lay

Small squirrels race up trees

Tweets and songs fill the misty air

Fog rises and falls throughout the morning light

On the other side of the hill lies more fog

Black thick fog and busy metal cattle

Unhappy farmers dressed in black wardrobes

Often tied with a rooster gobble to the neck

Loud sounds, beeps, and honks ring through the many silos and barns

Whistles Woos are replaced with hoots and mindless drones

Scraping and pecking at mini mousses amongst the grey, hard ground

No one says hello or goodbye

Only in their heads are they the biggest

Only in their hearts are they the strongest

No one knows the hidden lives on the other side of the great hill

For if they did, they would cease to know their own

This hill holds a huge healthy hickory

A symbol of divided coexistence

A border between two worlds in the same universe

One who sees all

Old enough to tell two tales

But still she remains

Roots inground

Nutrients of life surging through branches

But only one side provides the light to grow

The other provides the rain

This tree of life fuels from

Good and bad

Sun and rain

Helps the tree grow

Big and tall to see the truth

She remains bold and gallant

Even on both sides of the battle

She can see the peace and love of

Life