Bill Rush: ‘Prunus’

Prunus

Fungus along xylem and phloem.
This blighted branch may fall.

The gardener trimmed, then lopped
the dead wood, gave it one more season.

We recall its one-time glory, the flood
of white in spring, the hovering birds.

We will not forget the floating leaves,
the clouds, summers of silvereyes.

Soon the gardener will come again
with his swinging saw.

Bill Rush