The Cherry Tree, the Bear, the Birds, the Neighbor, and the Dog

The cherry tree, planted almost 20 years ago, was replanted a few years later to save it from deer that had stripped it to a stem.

18 years later, after a climatechangingwinter, it burst into beatific blossoms.

As if in celebration, this Springummer, it bore bountiful red fruit.

Three days ago, or was it seven, a bear, just before sunrise, climbed into its bounty,

though not meaning to, tore off a major limb. The bear tumbling from the tree in the dark.

The limb unable to hold its weight. Will the tree survive?

Yet, intent on today the squirrel, robins, and blue jays fill their bellies with its riotous fruit.

Today, entangled with the tree, a man I do not know, had not been seen, was not answering calls. 

He'd had a rough run, was tumbling from life's weight, 

lost a job, lost a truck, unable to pay for repairs, a new job working all hours at minimum, unable to keep up.

When the police were called, they discovered he had died three or perhaps it was seven days ago. 

His gentle giant of a dog, never soiled their home but waited days, until today, let out by a neighbor who knew him, finally relieved himself.

It is said he was always kind.

A small neighborhood's hearts break for his empathy and kindness. 

On hearing, mine does too. 

I wonder if in the peace of infinity, he knows, and once again stripped but this time to radiance, sends the love back?

It is said he was always kind.

It is also rumored, though not determined, that it may have been fruit of the vine.

I bear witness to this here and now.

I hold witness to a broken life, a broken system. One life like so many tumbling, torn, and not easily fixed.

Our limbs beyond repair.

Wait, just now, the color of new blood and old death, a surprising visitor,

the scarlet tanager, 

alights in the cherry tree to delight on the fermented fruit.