We made something
out of what little we had.
Two seeds
grown into old oaks.
We never made a forest,
but we stayed up,
through the storms,
made food for the squirrels,
and homes for the birds.
We shaded the lovers,
the doctors,
the lawyers
and the homeless man.
We gathered the Sun,
and the wind
in our leaves,
and we waved in the breeze.
We’ve been here
longer than these roads,
longer than these buildings,
but one day we will go
the way of all things.
Until then,
our branches will bear
the weight of snow
and the curious,
climbing touch
of children,
seeking to ascend.
We will always
reach out for the sky
and we have set our roots deep
in this community.
We have watched so many lives
pass by,
you and I.
The world changes,
but trees do not.
Our function stays the same.
Regardless of how much
carbon is in the air,
we clean it and make it pure.
No matter how hot the Sun,
we cast the big shadows
for people and animals to find respite.
It is strange
to watch these people change
when you are unchangeable.
Two seeds,
grown into two trees.
Two trees
in a town square.
HG – 2021
