an orchard
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the trees in order stand,
so ordered as ranks of soldiers.
just so, each exactly in its place,
dividing the land perfectly
in columns and quadrants,
stretching over hills
and still so properly positioned
as to portion out the land.

they've been here a long time;
i don't know who planted them.
they've known the heat of summer
and the loss of the fall,
seen the river grow solid
and the geese fly away,
felt the wind in the branch
and the crack in the earth,
and they sleep patiently
in this winter land.