I Saw A Tree Die

A Shakespearean Sonnet by Lauren Kawamoto

I saw a tree die in its tranquil sleep,
Its passing came as men with little warning
One dewy, damp morning, bitter-sweet,
These men were clothed like ants in armor, swarming
 
The yellow bee, a bright sun in the sky, but just a bee
Hovered past the weeds and through the leaves
Around the steadiness of the tree
Coming to duck beneath the eaves
 
As the trembling, grating, reluctant saw
Groaned nearer, clatters of chestnut chips
Came closer to the smooth-edged maw
And settled to sleep on a sack of sticks
 
Eternity, then: a CRACK, a rumble, a fleeting implore
For the oak tree in my yard was now no more.

Lauren A. Kawamoto, born on September 8th, 2008, in Hong Kong, China, embarked on her literary journey as a budding writer in second grade. Drawing inspiration from her family of five and beloved dog, she delved into the realms of short stories, fantasy, dystopian fiction, and novels.