to hack back home the hacker loved to cut down trees
so he could see their insides
he guillotined them trunk by trunk
to find his path made wide

but some the hacker left unhacked
to sturdy and stout to chop
these strong ones with their hips intact
thought they could only watch the murderous trek

they only hoped for the seedlings’ strength
to shake to life anew
before the traveler’s most loved axe
could send its screaming shine through

when the hacker snoozed under the huskiest tree
he thought it a shield from night’s fangs
Husky – he swallowed the hack’s ankles whole
with his rootage and wickedness taught

when the hacker woke his axe had been drowned
and roots had imprisoned his legs
he scratched at the thickness of bark – fingernails
determined – ever determined – frantic and wild

scratching for the insides
blind of his way
2008