The Tree's Lament

To be a tree or maybe not to be —
I'd choose not and be totally free
Of each branch, each root, each leaf.
They've brought me nothing but grief.
A cat! Yes, I could be a wonderful cat.
What would be so wrong about that?
Hmm. Instead, maybe a type of dog?
I would even agree to be a fat old hog.
Ah, I'd love to run and baa as a sheep
And sink my hooves into dirt so deep,
Then just lift them up and walk away.
I'd give anything for that life today.
Anything would be better than this,
Even being a snake, speaking by hiss.
But a tree? I mean – really? A tree?
Trees have enormous limits, you see.
I'm rooted deeply within the ground
So how can I see the world? Get around?
I want buddies like people have. Friends.
To pursue adventures until my life ends.
"Be grateful," the other trees always say.
"It not, bad things may come your way."
What do they know? They're in a rut.
I'm not like them. I'm anything but.
Can't my hopes and dreams come to be?
Please. Anyone. Come and rescue me!
The end.