Lonely

Oh my crooked spine, I try to stay upright,
but the years are wearing me down.
I'm so sad,
the streets are lonely and dark.
Nobody stops,
they rush past me
Oh, so fast.
As I cry, my leaves fall.
One by one,
Each, a memory of all those past years.
Of those days,
I'd have little feet climb me,
squealing in delight.
They’d hold on to my branches.
Hugs would cover all of me.
Sometimes, one would hide away in me
If lucky, with their book.
I'd bend myself to be even more comfortable,
I didn't ever want them to need a hammock.
What beautiful memories…
Though, I can't remember exactly how long ago it was.
I've lost count of all my rings.
There,
another leaf.
The wind picks it up.
He has his own complaints.
He shakes me a bit as he takes a deep breath
and says...
there's just so much
pressure.

—Bertha Azurduy