The Sound of the Trees

The sound of the trees is breath:
Gallons of air guzzled by
Leaves before they taste fall’s death,
Having one last song to cry—

Sweeter than a siren’s tune,
Softer than a nymph’s whisper,
A song the trees love to croon,
Calling sister to sister.

They ask God the reason why
He chained them in roots and bound
Their song to wander the sky,
Unheard as the world spins round.

The trees breathe a heavy sigh
So that men might breathe it in
And catch the song ‘fore leaves die
To translate groans to amens.