An army of us
Standing proud and tall
Hacked at and hacked at
Until we slowly gave way and began to fall
We never fought back
We are peaceful and humble
Slicing and sawing
And down we tumble
One by one
Until the job is done
We lay there dying
Dehydrating in the sun
Once we were unique
Different textures and sizes
Different talents and personalities
Each of us had our own surprises
But we’ve been cut down
Lost our footing on the ground
Whisked away by the man
Who sells us by the pound
And further we’re cut and molded
They make us what they want us to be
Boards, doors, floors, boxes,
Paper for their toiletry
I look around and see my friends
They are all around me
No longer whole, but in pieces
No longer what they used to be
Now you can see us standing tall
Perhaps a story high. Perhaps two or three
But in pieces nailed together
Built for the human family
And the ones who are fortunate
Standing tall, firm, and hard
Are isolated from the others
Alone in the front yard
What would I rather be?
Before I make my choice I am forewarned
Either I live whole, but isolated and alone
Or in pieces painted over and conformed