an early trek
a dusty road
and a hungry man —
there at the side
of the path stands
a tree leafy-limbed
a fig in full fruiting dress
unexpected in the spring
but the way seems long
without something
to sustain —
he crosses over
bends back the leaves
to find barren branches
nothing to show
for all its grand display
he draws back
silent a moment
and then, an oath —
o fruitless one
o bald deceiver
never shall you bear again
leafy limbs shudder
the trunk buckles, bows
and all that was alive
is withered in an instant
from the curséd tree learn its lesson
the Son of Man sees all laid bare —
and fig leaves hide nothing
