The Fig Tree

The fig tree is in bloom, therefore summer
is almost upon us.

Look at the wind tear at the branches

as if the tree
were not meant to survive,
or had to prove it could

to enter the weather of August,
to become
part of everything that is briefly calm.

This generation will not pass away
until all things are accomplished,
Christ said. But in this he was mistaken.

Why not believe in postponement?

Of course you want to live.
You want to live forever.

That’s how the tree becomes part of the story.
The gardener shows his patience,
although his patience has limits.

But now it is still spring,
so the question cannot be answered.

If the figs ripen the tree will be saved.
If not, it will be cut down.

What, after all, could it represent
except yourself?