Dutch Elm Destruction

Dad took down the trees
That the disease was affecting
Eleven in total
From around our house
It was a long chainsaw summer
Full of sawdust
Exhaust
Burn piles
And stumps

I remember counting the rings
And doing the math
Counting back the years
And not comprehending
That these trees grew
Through the decades
Events
Wars
And generations

​While we missed the trunks
The branches and leaves
And the shade that cooled us
We gained open air
And views of the sun
Moon
Stars
And blue sky