FALLEN TREE (written by Gail Batton - Tuesday - 10:31 p.m. - 3/24/98) Tall and sturdy - Green and lively Passersby look and see a tree Blended in - one of a forest Still - quiet - vacant woods One bolt of lightening "Crack" - resounds in the forest But, none have heard - Slowly the giant falls "Thud" - tremors the floor of the forest But, none have heard Long and lovely - Brown - so dead Passersby look and see a log Blended in - one of a forest floor Tall and sturdy - young and beautiful Passersby see a girl Blended in - one of a crowd Still - quiet - alone, hidden Pains begin - cries unheard Strangers only - none who cared Slowly a child is birthed "Scream" - tremors as the child emerges Alone with stranger None who cared have heard Tall and shaken - young but weary Passersby see a young woman Blended in - one of a crowd Years pass Tall and aged - older - maturing Passersby see a middle-aged lady Blended in - one of a crowd One loud scream - silently remembered But - without one in a forest Did the fall of the tree make a sound All alone with strangers Who could ever understand the cry Unshed tears this week Only one remembers Silent sorrow as life passes by unnoticed.