"An electric saw..."

An electric saw eliminates the familiarity

of the hand saw, of the teeth sinking in and pulling,

pulling tendons and sinews in solidarity,

pushing with your back for a few grueling

minutes, waiting for the last fibers to snap.

Then, snap. And your arms hang limp.

And the sweat underneath you hat is palpable,

as you walk, dragging behind you dead limbs,

wondering whether the tree was salvable.