A PECAN TREE
by Juan Olivarez
The Pecan tree, he’s no one’s fool,
My papi once told me.
As long as the weather still is cool,
Not a single leaf, on him you’ll see.
Sometimes it’s May, or maybe June,
Before his leaves appear.
He never sports new clothes too soon,
Not until the weather’s clear.
But once in leaf, no tree around,
Comes close to the Pecan.
With shade and fruit, he does abound,
Standing in the Texas sun.
(4/3/11 Alton Texas)
Painting: “Texas Trilogy” (1998) — Texas Mockingbirds at their Pecan Tree nest in a landscape of Blue Bonnets (Texas state bird, tree, and flower) — by Jon Janosik, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Prints available at natureartists.com.
Silver Birch Press 
I love this, and having lived in Georgia, land of the pecan trees, I know how true this is. I’m just south of their range now, or I would have one planted in my front yard. The mockingbirds are here, but alas, they’ll have to make do with the laurel oaks and the bamboo.