The Kindness of Trees

[Kenneth2816]

Beneath the ground they say
great tap roots find each other
send nutrients to older trees,

exchange information like lovers
chat about their day over tea.
When I was a child, I was rough

on trees: climbing, breaking branches
carving my initials, a base point
I could come back to, proof I was here.

When I die and they dress my body,
tell them not to fuss with my hands.
I want to carry your dirt forever.

[Billy]

I can’t help but think of the movie Avatar.
The final line causes me to question when N got dirt on his hands.

[Kenneth2816]

You got me there Billy. I wrote this for someone.
She knows. Maybe I should not have posted it.

[BobBradshaw]

I like the poem. I do think you could add a line to explain how the hands are duty, perhaps along the line of how you've cared and nurtured trees.