The Tree © Lyn Crain

I was a mere spindly sprout when
the boy planted me outside his window.
My torso thickened and my limbs sprawled
over the years. I nurtured baby robins
tucked in my crannies hidden by my leaves
from any predators view. I was so proud.
I shaded the boy and his family on hot summer days.
I listened to their stories as they rested
against me. I was there when they were silent, too!
I bowed in respect to all the different seasons without
complaint. I did it all for him. He who gave me life.
I watched him go from a human sprout himself to a grown man.
One day, he brought home a girl she was so nice to me.
Now, she lives here too! I really like her voice,
she sings when she visits me. Music makes me feel happy.
One day, I heard a unfamiliar new sound, I liked it a lot.
The man told the young one about planting me.
I straightened myself up, love sure feels good ,
even to a sappy old fool like me.
The man hoped we would be good friends. I knew we would.
I watched over the boy while he played in my bountiful shade,
and the robins sang their lyrical songs. Life was good.
There was a terrible storm and I lost a branch one evening
but they were safe. I stood strong and faced the wind down.
One sunny day, the man and the boy leaned against me while
they talked about his high school baseball game.
Has it really been that long? Oh my, the boy brought
home a girl just like his Dad, they visited me often
though I wasn’t as robust as I once was.
It seemed like I noticed the weather more now
and my leaves didn’t grow quite like they did.
But the humans didn’t seem to mind.
One day, the older man and the boy
brought another visitor to meet me,
oh that sound was music to my ears.
Another sprout for me to watch over as I did the man and the boy.
Was I up to this after another difficult winter?
That dang Mother Nature stole another one of my limbs.
I was feeling my age but I couldn’t let on.
I had a job to do. Time sure flies when you are having fun.
It wasn’t that long before the youngest boy was
climbing me, he told me he was going to touch the moon.
I tried to stand strong like I always did but today…
I shuddered and broke. His cries shattered my heart
His young body crashed loudly against my old roots.
Their silence could be heard for miles.
I long for their voices but they don’t come anymore.
It’s just me and my creaks withering, waiting to die.

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