﻿ Ailanthus

Ailanthus is the tree species colloquially known in New York City as the "tenement palm". The City plants thousands of nursery-raised trees every year, largely to replace trees they planted just a few years before. Many of these carefully planted and cared-for species never seem to get past the "outdoor house-plant" stage. Ailanthus, however, just sprout up naturally, often where a tree is least wanted. Unless someone actually cuts them down, they mature into damn fine trees.




Please take a moment and think about the Ailanthus.

No-one plans it.

No-one plants it.

No-one waters,

Or prunes,

Or sprays it,

Or gives it plant food or weed killer or even manure.

It squeezes between tall buildings,

Through sidewalk gratings,

And cracks in concrete,

And in angles of fences where mowers can't reach it.

It survives

Unassisted, and thrives.

It stands up to road salt,

And car fumes,

And dog piss,

And the hardened indifference of big-city life.

Only let it be:

And it will sink deep roots,

And form stout branches,

And cast a shade as good as that of any planted tree.

The Ailanthus is all unwanted children

And the adults they become.

It's those who got adopted

And those who never did.

It's those who learn their origins

And those who never will.

It's the kids who glut the System

And call it Home:

In orphanages,

In nurseries,

And in foster homes,

Waiting for chance to graft them onto someone's family tree.


The Ailanthus,

Laughing at rejection,

Sings out:

"I was born a bastard,

What's your excuse?",

Then turns its leaves to the sun,

And grows.


Please take a moment and think about the Ailanthus.

http://www.arzaga.us Copyrighted 2009 by Snoopy Dude Graphics