my favorite tree in portland was cut down a few weeks ago. it was dismantled respectfully, i'm sure, but its sad pile of constituent parts--the bones and arms and feet and legs and fingers and red, fire leaf hair--were strewn about the ground like a defeated giant. i stopped my car and took a moment of silence...thought about stealing some of the wood for sentimental cabinetry or something, but there was a big orange dog guarding the yard.
there's something about the american elms on ladd. those big, knobby, gentle and terrifying american elms. they sing and sigh...i've heard them.
