Tree Shadow

Tree Shadow

Once I was

Tall

Straight

A proud pine

Perfect pole specimen.

Then I was

Limbless

Needleless

Debarked

Rounded

Aged until dry

Creosoted

Machines

Drilled across my core

To support power cables

Providing light for a campground

Sometimes I feel

Barren

Proud to give service

Whole, not sliced up for lumber

Out of place with living kin

I always feel

At attention

Plunked six feet in the ground

Looking at my naked shadow.

Sarah Chapman

This was first published in my town newspaper Aitkinage.com