THE OLD OAK TREE

THE OLD OAK TREE 

The old oak tree stands tall but crooked.

It’s cracked, coarse, creviced surface.

reflects the assault of never-ending seasons

The rain, heat, and snow of a lifetime of grinding seasons

have grated at its surface with diamond-sharp teeth.

digging in, creating ugly permanent scars.

Despite its realistic prediction

of hostile seasons to come,

the tree defiantly stretches, moves skyward,

while sending its roots deep

to find their way around rocky obstacles,

to anchor itself to a solid foundation

while imposing its self-promise

to keep growing despite

the disappointment of its environment.

This broken-looking tree will not stop

finding a way to grow and thrive

in what seems like to others

an unforgiving and hostile world.

Today and all tomorrows hear the tree decry:

“neither the sun, wind, cold, nor rain

will supplant my desire to remain where I was born,

where I should remain,

and where I will eventually die.

Listen, pay attention, and try to understand

the tree's forever commitment

to remain where it fought so hard to survive -

on the earth in which its roots

have made into its home.

2005