They like their house time enough,

But wish someone had planted a better tree in the yard

A hundred years ago,

Forty years before they were born.

This elm has grown up big and strong,

But the neighbor has twin oaks,

And folks around here are tree snobs.

So they are thinking to mow around

Eight small saplings the squirrels planted

By randomly burying treasured acorns in the ground for food,

So that, in another hundred years,

When the house has fallen down,

At least there will be some sturdy oaks

Grown up, albeit fractally spaced.

Who’s to say if oaks will be out of style by then?

Though complaining seems to be ever in season.

-jenn