Farewell Sugar Maple

You stood watch over our house for a
quarter of a century. Providing us with
shade in Summer, dazzling yellow, red
color in the Fall. I would compost your
leaves in a corner of the backyard.

In Spring and Summer, your leaves gave
off oxygen to combat the air pollution from
the growing volumes of speeding traffic
on New Scotland Avenue.

Like the other trees, along the Avenue
you absorbed the hits of passing cars
and trucks, had your roots disturbed
by sidewalk and sewer work, suffered
from gypsy moth bouts, absorbed hydro-
carbon laden vehicle emissions and were
assaulted each winter by tons of road
salt pushed against your trunk by city plows.

All these, shortened your life, and
brought about your early demise.

I watched as the City crew took you
down in less than an hours time.

I thought of the changes in our lives that
you silently witnessed over the past
quarter century.

Our front yard looks very empty
without you.

We are deeply saddened at your loss.

Joe Sullivan