dead tree

there is a dead tree on our yard

spruce or pine – is there a difference?

right in the front north corner 

brown brittle needled branches

line the leaning trunk

the tree next to it seems to be dying too 

maybe it was too dry

or it got too wet

or maybe disease

or infestation 

we’ll have to cut it down

chain saw teeth angrily biting the trunk as we

bring it safely down into shallow ditch 

there are many trees on our yard 

we won’t miss it

as we cut it up and

burn it in the fire pit

and send it into the ether 

roasting wieners on a warm sun-drenched

summer afternoon