The Execution

by Nizar Sartawi
(Amman, Jordan)

Here they come
the frequent trespassers of this terrain
in their tattered truck
The heavy black boots
step down

Their helmets on
and safety glasses
their ear muffs
thick face shields
and Kevlar chaps

Forward they march
with calculated steps

There she stood –
a lone giant Lizzab tree
an old green fortress –
as the gang approached

They sized her up
they measured and marked
and then
the keen chainsaw
whirring
whining
grinding
until the mountains
quivered with dread at
the cracking
the crashing
the crunchy bone breaking