Joke Tree

We had a tree
My brother, friends and me
Where we’d climb into its arms
And talk philosophy and life
Which sport was best
Which team was best
And who we’d each someday marry

We’d drink Mountain Dew
And spit sunflower seeds
Onto the road below us
While telling jokes we’d read
In cheap joke books we bought
And tried to memorize
Even if we didn’t get the jokes

​We called the tree the Joke Tree
And even though I don’t remember
Those jokes or who I’d marry
I do remember the company
And feeling of understanding
Things bit by bit when talking
To each other there.