Life Cycle

 
In front, towering
above the sidewalk edge
and the strip of soil 
that all refer to as 
city property— two pines
where night herons nest

For compost, for return
to the soil; nutrients
for the fruit tree, 
says her daughter
regarding the backyard 
unraked for months

With today's wind,
a rain of pine needles
unloosed from every
branch. Tomorrow,  
armies of leaf blowers 
down the street