I am still conflicted over whether to call the image “Death of a tree” (a title with gravitas) or “Attempted murder,” since one would need to shoot a tree many times to actually kill it. But how can one even think such thoughts?

During a televised debate in the 80’s involving a clergyman who wished to defend religion against the evils of satire, John Cleese famously leapt up and shouted that “nothing is above satire!” But what of the satirist’s guilt? And is this even a satirical painting? I do not know, and in a world full of overly-certain people, not knowing sooths me.