We lived next door,
her a widow
me the same
raised families together but separate for many years
our kids played sports together
went to school together.

Then her spouse died,
so did mine.

Now, our kids were grown up
and I was mowing the lawn
when I noticed that her tree
with my tree
had grown over the years—
to create a beautiful heart.

I pointed it out to her.
Told her that together we had one heart.
She smiled a nervous crooked smile.

The next day a crew was out front
cutting down her tree
sawdust
blew towards me
as I stared in disbelief.

When I asked her
why she cut down her tree she said,
“I couldn’t have our heart
hanging
over my house,”
and she calmly turned and walked away.