As distressful a scene

as a beached whale on the strand.

A giant Beech tree lies horizontal.

Its roots displayed like exposed intestines

Branches like rigamortis hands clutching for life

A giant fell in the park, a home for a hundred crows

Fled into the night.

Did it come down in the wind? Did anybody hear it fall?

A great moaning creak and then a thud.

If we had all our senses, could we hear its fading breath?

The tape around it flaps in the wind like a murder scene

Did it fall after all? Or was it pushed?

This giant hazard to cyclists, walkers and joggers.