I speak for this tree… | Mickey Z.

Photo credit: Mickey Z.

Mickey Z. -- World News Trust

Oct. 1, 2016

When I moved into my current apartment, an unexpected perk was having a beautiful and immense tree just two backyards away out my kitchen window.

When I’d come home, almost immediately, I could see straight through into my kitchen and a wall of green would be visible. This vision became the norm (but never taken for granted) for more than six years.

And I was far from alone. Countless birds, squirrels, and even raccoons shared time with this majestic tree.

Even through the harshest of winters, I appreciated her presence and grace.

Photo credit: Mickey Z.

On October 20, 2012, I came home from work around noon and instantly sensed that something was askew. More light was streaming through my kitchen window! I rushed over to look and this is what I saw:

Photo credit: Mickey Z.

In a matter of minutes, I could discern the frightful situation. The cranky and cleaning-obsessed old guy who owned the house between my building and the tree was always griping about having to clean up the leaves during autumn. So, he offered to pay for the removal of the tree. The woman who “owns” the tree agreed.

Photo credit: Mickey Z.

I grabbed my camera, tears streaming down my face, and climbed out onto my fire escape to document the necrophilic slaughter. The magnificent tree, being reduced to wood chips.

Photo credit: Mickey Z.

With phallocentric weapon properly positioned, the hired hit man surveyed his handiwork.

Photo credit: Mickey Z.

Even so, they weren’t done until there was virtually nothing left.

Photo credit: Mickey Z.

The next day, a confused squirrel was left to wonder what had become of not just a tree but an entire eco-system. A microcosmic glimpse at the relentless, male-dominated culture of death.

Photo credit: Mickey Z.

Coda: Today, in October 2016, the old man next door is not seen much anymore and when he is, he limps slowly and painfully. The years have taken their toll and he relies on his wife to maintain “order” in his beloved yard of concrete. Above him, the tree watches. And it returns.

Photo credit: Mickey Z.

Mickey Z. is currently writing two books, a memoir called How to Lose Friends & Influence Nobody: My Life as an “Activist,” and a novel entitled stain red. In the meantime, he can be found here.

I speak for this tree… by Mickey Z. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://worldnewstrust.com/i-speak-for-this-tree-mickey-z.