How to Kill a Fig Tree

Chainsaw the trunk; drill holes; pour kerosene
and glyphosate and epsom salts inside.
Lop off the suckers that spring up with green,
gigantic glossy leaves all summer long
and notice, as you work, the severed, dried,
scarred-over ends cut last year. Stake a strong
black tarp across to keep the sunlight out.
Repeat these steps from March to late September.
In winter, let yourself forget about
the dormant nuisance. Then, next March, remember
you've done this all before. Your efforts rhyme
from spring to spring: the saw, the poison, shears.
Now call your only daughter one more time
although she hasn't answered in ten years.