New Neighbors

They were not here two weeks
and the tree company
was out there
cutting down the oak
the huge huge oak
that made you feel
little and proud both
when you got close
that had been here
longer than anyone
longer than 90 year old Jerry Hart
who was born in the house
on the corner
it was probably here
before there were any houses
any street at all
maybe it was here
when the indians were
or before that even

So old man Hart
stood watching by his fence
and some others came out
and stood around long faced
finally the guy comes out
"Took up half the yard"
he says neighborly
and starts talking
about what they plan to do
with the space where it grew
and you could tell
why that tree never had a chance--
the man didn't even know enough
to shut up
to lie low
to get the idiotic smile
out of his voice.