in a tree

what if

we lived

in a tree?

the strongest branches underneath, 

as strong as anything a man could build

but flexible

giving and swaying with the wind and storms

the branches above,

a canopy

green umbrella,

shelter from the rain

light filtering,

turning the atmosphere green and soft

what if we lived in a tree

everyday rejoicing in a new leaf, 

a small new beginning 

the sky above, the earth beneath

and we, in the middle

what if we lived in a tree

ate the fruit of our neighbors

but only what friendly branches offered up,

never taking more than the earth gifted

would our troubles climb our tree

or would they sit at the bottom and howl

like a mongrel dog 

waiting for us to come down

could we stay

forever

in our tree

sunrise

and sunset

in love with the wind 

gusts softened by the kind leaves

never angry, always softly caressing 

creeping between leaves and branches

to come visit us

in our tree