The hankerckief tree

The weeping willow bends Its boughs forlorn
water flows its cadence is confirmed
reaching down to touch the hidden grave
shielded in its umbrella shade

the handkerchief tree wakes up from its nap
and feels spring times rising sap
the Davidia with its whitened bracts
sees its friends and gives a gasp

to hand a tissue where mourning stands
rain forest burned, scorched earth and barren land
palm oil rise from blackened stumps
cash crops that only make us plump

the tree to move our minds and hearts
wave a white flag when enough is enough
to blow its nose to see this unfold
the chain saw buzz in the mornings cold

a white pennant flutter it signals brave
the logging lorry it cant dissuade
 serviette to catch earths dirty crumbs
will you wave back and be a friend

a dropped kerchief to stop and help
be selfish and leave to someone else
crying like the weeping willow
for the barren graves in our minds so shallow