The Playground Tree

Branches spread wide
on a bright autumn day,
I watched the children
run out to play.

I shaded the bench
at the foot of my trunk
where a girl came to sit
in a blue sort of funk.

She sat by herself,
her head hanging low.
Someone asked her to play.
She shook her head no.

Worried, I frowned.
My leaves gently swayed.
I asked her, “What’s wrong?
Please, don’t be afraid!

“Oh, Tree!” said the girl
as she wiped off her cheek.
She gathered her thoughts
and she started to speak.

“My best friend Bernice
moved to Texas last week.
I miss her so much!
Without her, life is bleak!”

I listened with care
as the girl shared her grief.
I sheltered. I soothed.
I sent down a leaf.

Soon after, I watched
while the girl danced away
showing Leaf to her friends
as they skipped off to play.