they talk about me as I pass
I know
I hear them
whispering about me
in rustling tones
last night
I heard them laughing
through the thin fabric of my dreams
but when I got out of bed
to confront them
they grew silent
blaming any noise I heard
on the tireless wind
through their leaves.
I know they lie
every year
pretending to die
and when I finally believe
myself safe
they slowly come back
to life
to terrorize me
anew.
the traitorous
trees.
