the large pine tree at the side of our house died a while ago

it was very old and died a natural death

I watched the leaves falling

then the smaller branches started to snap off in the wind

the birds liked to perch in that tree

a tall vantage point overlooking the marsh

woodpeckers hammered away at the trunk looking for food

ospreys plucked off small branches for their nest building

eventually it was going to weaken and topple in a high wind

it was leaning towards the house

to prevent property damage it had to be cut down

a short buzz of a chainsaw and it crashed away from the house

it was so sad to see it fall 

cut up and fed into a wood chipper

today its just a big empty space

I miss seeing the birds

I miss looking at that tree

the side of our house looks naked now

all those years of growing skyward 

giving shelter and food to animals

providing welcome shade to our home on hot summer afternoons

suddenly ending in a ceremonial pile of mulch

please forgive me Mr. Woodpecker

time to plant a new tree