‘A Tree Of Destiny’

‘A Tree Of Destiny’

My name is Oak

And I was born in sunshine

Nestled in my sturdy cup

A cradle of hairy roughness

Just my size.

A squirrel stole me from

Mothers arms

And ran with me up and up

To highest hill and buried me.

It was dark and cold

I yearned for sun and

Mothers arms to protect me.

Time went by and I slept

When I awoke I felt some warmth

I reached and reached and alas

I broke thru to light..

How refreshed I felt..

I reached for the sun and could

Feel myself growing

I was at the top of a hill

And as I grew I could see more and more

Of the landscape 'neath my base.

I felt stronger every day

Rain came and I drank with thirst of Giants.

Time passed and I kept reaching for the sky.

Birds built nests in my arms.

Squirrels ran upon my trunk and chased

Each other just for fun.

My outer coat was rough and tough

I could withstand heat and cold

Nothing could hurt me.

The wind whistled and tried to push me

But to no avail cuz I was strong

I was a giant with sixty seven rings

My leaves were Green then brown

As seasons changed.

I gave birth to thousands

Which fed the squirrels and now

I knew that some of them were buried

And left to grow as I.

It was not a fearful thing

But a miracle .

Then one day I saw them come.

With shining blades advancing

I was not afraid for was I not the

Fortress strong?

I felt the sharp sting cut me like

I was made of gel and soon I fell

I made a noise like thunder

And watched the eggs fall from their nests.

Mother birds frantic...

but None with blades would notice.

They cut off my arms and dragged me

Down the hill with giant noisy things

Of strength unseen by me before.

They drove me to a place where noise

And screams were heard

Soon my coat was stripped away

And I was sliced into many lengths

Once again transported to a place

That smelled so strange.

I was cut and polished smooth

And fitted into what they called

A Table.

Eventually I ended up inside a place

They called a house ..made with my siblings

It was warm and nice but I could only see

The sun thru panes called glass.

Each day I heard and felt the clank of plates

As dinner time arose and people sat around

And ate and laughed and talked.

Dogs ran round my sturdy legs

And ate what children dropped to them

When no one saw.

I hear people admire my beauty at times

And say how strong I am...That is how

I know I am OAK.

A Gramma comes to visit and I named her OAK

Because I see her strength

Children gather round her too.

And dogs zoom between her feet and she just laughs.

I wonder who will come to carry her away

And put her in the ground?

Kesti©

3-19-2002