Staring at the treetops where, he told me,
Men were perching, talking to him.

I never knew precisely what to do,
So I’d say something dumb, then look away.

They didn’t scare him much, the treetop men;
But he wondered what they had in mind,

For it was his mother’s house
Where he was allowed to live at large

Instead of at the hospital
As long as he remained improved.

I guess he feared his visitors
Were putting that at risk.

Funny thing: although I thought
I ought to testify that nobody was there,

I never gained the confidence
To tell him that for sure.