they took down the ancient oak

   he preferred specificity they not so specific  but he had no idea who they were Citymaybe Property ownersperhaps 

                 the oak disruptedlifted snapped broke the sidewalk which had been poured too close to it boundaries assholes the tree also shoved the concrete steps leading down to the street below down itself 

he couldnt help but enjoyed the shambles 

                                            Excuse me excuse mepardon me as he hoppedhotfooted from one broken blocking to another over risers crippledtheir backs snapped from behind by fleshy roots

                                                                                            the tree had its way with them 

until they cut it down fucking criminal 

   he arrived a daytwo days late there was still woodchips sawdust scattered blood slopped at a crime scene 

nearly tossed his lunch

 

then he was aggravated

then terribly angry 

                 he didnt care for himself when he lost his shit had served three separate week stints in jail didnt care for them either  fortunately inmates gave him a wide berth

a few weeks later he walked by the scene again evidence was gone   freshpoured walk and steps

it was evening  vaporlighting from the parking lot behind him tossed his shadow long

he stopped

             took a deep breath

on the new concrete was a dark redmaroon stain stood fast  didnt move with the quiet respectful breeze  didnt reach was terribly solemn 

                       the trees shadow

they took it 

              no one told its shadow

1630,  Thursday,  1  6. 23

1745,  Saturday,  3  6. 23

Stone Rebel  Silent Universe  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYr0Vc56iVA