Post Mortem

The Chinese maple,
Brought back from death
Five years ago
By the Italian yard worker,
Is a living testament
To the faith you possessed.

You asked me for a prognosis:
I pronounced it dead.
But here it is, again, this spring -
Exploding with delicate
Diminutive green leaves,
And the stoic soul of an old bonsai.

Had you listened to me
There would be nothing in its place,
But a hole in the sky.
Thank you for acting on your faith.