I called the city because the tree
outside my front door needed help.
It was half torn
out of its spot,
I assumed, by a backing truck.

The help the city provided
was removing the tree
which was not what I had in mind.

Now I have no tree outside my front door.
It’s an industrial neighborhood,
the only green I can see within several blocks
Is weeds between cracked cement.

I have thought about calling to request
a replacement tree
but I shudder to think
how that request can be misunderstood.