Michael Heavener 

Memorial Trees

They stood tall with their feet

planted deep in wells

that perforated sidewalks.

Strong and straight like soldiers

marching in holiday parade,

each one hid a story of its past.

Some were fir, or were they pine,

who never spoke their tales

except when night descended.

When gaslights began to dim

and store clerks locked the doors,

it's then we heard them gossip.

"Private Ironwood, handpicked,

to carry telegraphic wires

reaching every compass point

Sergeant Miller on the corner

of Leary Way and Cleveland

flew the regimental ensigns.

Major Forrest by the mailstop,

a car collided with his mooring,

left him ever so slightly tilted.

Captain Birdsong came to town

on the Lake Shore's daily train 

from a mill in Bonner, Idaho."

When morning's milk arrived

they put aside their chitchat --

standing proudly at attention,

silent witnesses to progress.