Sinew and muscle and strain and bone,
I cut away bit by sawdust bit on the
limb.
Breath coming in gasps, heart thumping
along.
Showered by bark dust, shaking wobbly
ladder.
Rest a while, catch my breath, then saw
some more.
Staccato beat in my chest, wheezing
breaths fast,
My mind wants to keep going, my body
wants rest.
The brawny limb refuses to give way,
been there a hundred years, who am I to
say.
But it broke and is hanging, will fall
any day.
Determined old elm tree groans out in
protest,
how dare you try and amputate me?
I grunt and gasp in response:
Your time has come and gone, old limb,
It is time for you to be finished off.
(addendum: It finally fell, after
three days of sawing).
