little by little

we stood in the window and cawed
birds on a wire

watching them hack away the arms, the limbs
our privacy! our youthful world at jeopardy!

'how could they do that to the yard' we whined
as they snipped and sawed - following orders

i offered them coffee and tea as it poured down rain
and we sat in the warmth of the kitchen, saddened

yet spring came and the blooms caught our eyes
captured on paper and film
the couches were dragged out
and occasionally someone would water the green amputees
peering through the holes at the old dog behind

the outdoor theater drew the crowds
bringing lawn chairs and beers
hollering sarcasms and cute jeers

and they grew
they reached out to touch the young in the back row
touch their bare summer skin
their tank tops and bike baskets

the branches sprouted green
all hot and shiny from sun

each week theyd come
sitting and laughing
and inch by inch the leaves grew,
imploding the bare hole with their
handsome lush sheen

now the summer closure is unspoken
the nights bring chills

under the dark sky
the growing continues

as they lay out to see the meteors showering
the leaves tremble and ache to join them

unfolding for them all - to preserve the wild,

the magic of the enclosed world

the yard of the young

all cradled and green