The tree across the street looks like a Bob Ross painting 
you can see the layers of paint jabbed onto the canvas 
first, the color of forest in shade 
thirst quenching, almost black 
next, a regal pine green 
serious, quiet 
then a bright grass green 
overflowing with life, like summer itself 
silvery sage green highlights the very tips 
capturing each change of expression 
the end of each upright branch ignited by yellow 
turning the tree into a candelabra 
drenching the evening in mood lighting 
each brushstroke a beat in Bob’s meditative cadence 
out here, his soothing refrain replaced by a horde of insects 
buzzing like wind-up toys 
maybe they are saying the same thing, just in another language 
anyone can make a tree 
it’s easy 
you can do it 
if you believe