The Big Rooted Tree

Image by Devon Butler

In my elementary school playground
there was a great, glorious tree.
I dubbed it ‘The Big Rooted Tree’.
At recess I would climb into its cosmic crevices
to seek comfort from its shielding cocoon.
Other children played games,
To which I was never invited,
But the Big Rooted Tree always gracefully welcomed me.

Years later, they cut it down.
It was too old, its crevices too ‘dangerous’.
Now, children play on plastic and metal swings, slides
And monkey-bars,
High above the ground.