The Tree Agreement

The neighbor calls the Siberian Elm

a “weed” tree, demands we hack

it down, says the leaves overwhelm

his property, the square backyard.

He’s collar-and-tie. A weed tree?

Branches screen buildings, subway tracks,

his patch of yard. We disagree,

claim back the sap, heartwood, wild bark.

He declares the tree “hazardous.”

We shelter under leaf-hoard, crossway

for squirrels, branch house for sparrows, jays.

The balcony soaks up the shade.

Chatter-song drowns out cars below.

Sun branches down. Leaves overwhelm.

The tree will stay. We tell him “no.”

Root deep through pavement, Elm.