planted

I planted the seed
before
it grew
out of hand
into a tree

before it grew into a formidable
water pipe threatening menace
it was just a seedling

then roots only inches
in reach

contained in plastic
seed cell packs

I planted this
beginning

I planted
this ending

this growth that now threatens
and will be destroyed
for not comprehending
what we could ultimately be capable of

the chain saws we can draw upon
the wood chippers we can tow
behind simple vehicles

there is no match
yet

except
the complete death
that awaits after we get the last tree