The Oak Tree (Sometime in 1989)

                                                                          The Oak Tree

There it stood; a mighty Oak

it's branches strong and thick.

But during a windstorm one branch broke

and the Oak tree knew it was sick.

Still it continued to stand and grow

bearing new leaves each Spring.

In the Fall the acorns fell below

and birds continued to sing.

With the passing years the tree grew weak,

it's wood more brittle each day.

"oh", thought the tree, " I wish I could speak...

Please help me is what I would say."

But no one noticed the once mighty Oak

no longer bore new leaves each Spring.

And no one cared if another branch broke

when the birds perched there to sing.

But the Oak tree knew it's time was near

That soon it would break and fall.

And no one would know, and no one would hear,

and no one would care at all.

The Oak had lived for a thousand years

at the edge of a forest deep.

And there it suffered in silent fear

on the brink of eternal sleep.

So for the Oak Spring came once more

and the tree looked down below...

The last two acorns it had bore

were now beginning to grow.

"My children!" thought the dying tree

"Grow tall and strong and live!

You're all that's left that's part of me,

and I have one gift to give."

And all the birds began to sing

a final sad farewell

Back to this earth from which I came

Thought the Oak tree as it fell.

And the two young trees did quake with grief

to see the old tree gone.

"Don't be sad" thought one to the other

"as long as we live it lives on."

{Note: I don't remember what inspired this poem, but I dedicate it to Angel Oak of John's Island, S.C. because it is a timeless and priceless part of history and her fate is in jeapordy with possible future developments surrounding her and her sister wetlands}