Its Green Life In the twinkling of an eye is how a field-tree caught fire and left a charred monument in its place. A Buddhist monk had his own moment to blaze, as an effort to protest against the Vietnam war. He wanted to make a light of himself, but the scarred tree, I'm sure, did not think itself an emblem, or example, where anything could manifest at all, in its absence---- I have read that the monk begged for a match before he sat outside the city. The tree stood where it had always stood until the light decided that it could use its green life. ---Willie James King Willie James King, Cold War Veteran who served during the Vietnam War, is a widely published poet. He resides in Montgomery, AL. His latest book is The House in the Heart. His other books of poetry include Wooden Windows and At the Forest Edge. Visit Willie at http://www.williejamesking.com