The Arborist

 "Will you chop down this tree?
This tall poplar in my front yard
It's throwing shade across my front window
It will be a pity to see it go but that's it"

-Why are you going to chop me down?
can't you just prune me, Prune me please!
I'll do my best to grow toward the neighbor
I'll grow back my leaves later just for you-

"I can't chop down this tree for you
The tree itself is not ready yet
It's asking if we can just prune it
It promises to bud later in spring"

"Are you talking to the tree?
Can you just cut it down, it's my windows
The shadow in the summer is awful
It's just a poplar and trees don't talk"

-I've lived here rooted into the ground
for eighty seven years through each season
You'll just cut me down out of inconvenience
When you are gone I won't grow back-

"The tree said you were selfish self absorbed
It has seen so many great years here
It seems it has become so alive it now speaks
It wants to stay and live another eighty years"

Don't worry I'll call another another arborist
He'll get the job done in a jiffy
While you rattle on about what the tree wants
Aren't you interested in earning money?

The tree remained silent
The arborist cut the resident down with axe
The man fell mortally wounded
The arborist put the remains in the mulcher

Mixed it with grass clippings and bark
spread it around the base of the poplar
reached into his truck for the plastic strip
He hung it up out front it said- for sale

A head popped up over the fence Mrs O reilly
"When you get a minute, could you see to me shrubs."