Trees on High

The inspiration trees give can give serves as sacred text—not metaphor, but real connection.  Worthy souls, if trees have souls, can stand the test of living tall and straight while others dwell in lowland comfort.

Spruce

sturdy trees

they may not seem

with pointed tops

and stubby limbs

up here where

snow falls deep

and wind hits hard

lowland trees

would topple

but spruce know how to live 

crooked little spruce
of youthful twenty years
you’ve felt the wind
the pain of snow
and buried deep in winter
you heard the creak
of slipping drifts
pressing on your back
you bear the scars and bends
of dark depression
and wear the white and green
of bright summer
as gray was always lurking

these adults

throughout their youth

stood strong and straight

easy for them then

without enough to bear

to make them strong

fallen now without the test

that you survived in youth

this one also made it nicely

through an easy youth

beat the ones like you

with crooked tops

in every game and test

almost risen above the snow

on her way she said

reaching up to lofty tops

of those who stand above her

but then times changed

and snow got deeper

her top was like a child

built upon an easy youth

now bending under load

my friend, I think you’ll make it

your youth is looking good

don’t listen when they scoff

thanks for caring, little one

I’ve enjoyed our time

together on the trail