Green Side Up

Kid, there’s only two things a tree planter needs to know: the green side goes up, and ain’t no raingear in the world that’ll keep you dry.

–PISS-FIR WILLIE

Once you’re soaked
It doesn’t matter
If it’s raining.

The trees go in
One by one by one
And you go on

Borne and lost in
The mindless rhythm,
Bent to the task.

No time at all
You forget the rain,
Blur into its

Monotony.
Between root and breath,
No difference–

It’s all hard work.
Your wet body burns
From the bones out.