For every evergreen

i thought i saw you on the news the other day
my heart skipped a beat
when the headline described
forest fires
burning through the countryside
but it wasn’t you
because
i knew you were safe

i went home the other day
but you weren’t there

i closed my eyes
hoping it wasn’t real
but the land was barren
and our place
where we spent hours together 
where you taught me to climb
and lifted me up so i could see the stars
where the signs warded off
the machines and the saws
it was all gone

i went back again today
with a shovel and a hose
i planted a balsam 
where we fell asleep together
so one day you might grow back
and i’ll see you again
my evergreen glade