when i was about 9,
my dad bought the first chain-saw in town.
out at the country club,
they needed 3 trees cut down,
since they got in the way of
someone's backswing on the 9th tee.
my dad got the job --
not for money, just for firewood.
i grew up where there aren't a lot of stray trees.
my dad fired up the chain-saw,
and started to work, crying.
he told me
"I can't stand to cut down living trees."
i didn't understand his tears then.
i do now.