[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
According to the book Mr. Fluxus the tree is an Ailanthus tree, commonly
known as the 'tree of heaven' or 'tree of the gods'. It is known for its
hardiness and quickness of growth. It is extremely hard to get rid of. The
book I was reading said if you plant this be sure you want it because you
won't be able to get rid of it.
Hard to believe anyone would claim to have planted one of these. "Damn fine tree" and all, it's not exactly the Tree Growing in Brooklyn. I've heard, too, of cultivating weeds -- carefully, in a neat grid, no flowers after two long months.
<http://users.rcn.com/jonmarin/ailanthus.htm>
AILANTHUS
Please take a moment and think about the Ailanthus.
No-one plans it.
No-one plants it.
No-one waters,
Or prunes,
Or sprays it,
Or gives it plant food or weed killer or even manure.
It squeezes between tall buildings,
Through sidewalk gratings,
And cracks in concrete,
And in angles of fences where mowers can't reach it.
It survives
Unassisted, and thrives.
It stands up to road salt,
And car fumes,
And dog piss,
And the hardened indifference of big-city life.
Only let it be:
And it will sink deep roots,
And form stout branches,
And cast a shade as good as that of any planted tree.
The Ailanthus is all unwanted children
And the adults they become.
It's those who got adopted
And those who never did.
It's those who learn their origins
And those who never will.
It's the kids who glut the System
And call it Home:
In orphanages,
In nurseries,
And in foster homes,
Waiting for chance to graft them onto someone's family tree.
The Ailanthus,
Laughing at rejection,
Sings out:
"I was born a bastard,
What's your excuse?",
Then turns its leaves to the sun,
And grows.
Please take a moment and think about the Ailanthus.
-----------------------------------------------
["Ailanthus" (C)1996 by Jonathan Marin]
-----------------------------------------------
Since I first posted this piece, I have received a lot of positive feedback. This is gratifying, but it seems to me that placed here it only "preaches to the converted". I'd like it to be seen by the "outside world". If you know a publication which can give it a wider audience, would like to fill some space at no charge, and would welcome a piece that it can edit without objection from the author, please let me know.
Thanks,
Jon
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Adoptionopoly - The Board Game You Play in the Dark
Humor, Satire and Wit
Song Lyrics
Back to Jon's Home Page
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[Back AR] [Adoption Ring] [Next AR]
[Random] [Next] [Skip][Ne xt 5] [Back] [Back 2]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This page is maintained by Jonathan Marin
([EMAIL PROTECTED])
