Ancient Tree, How Inspiring It Be

Ancient Tree, How Inspiring It Be The old tree stood beaten, weathered- Alone were bent and twisting limbs ablowin'. Within storm's deepest fury its majesty shown deep was its great endurance ashowin'. Burnt and so gnarly around its massive base new sprouts growing from its seeds. Beautiful widespread canopy was its face flying like the manes on racing steeds! With large broken limb hanging across another huge awesome image it presented so- Epic So easily viewed with love as if from a mother gold poetry sung by this ancient relic! That old tree hurt, in pain and- Enduring. Gave solace for mankind's hope so- Assuring! R.J. Lindley March 22nd, 1970 Note- From my private journal. I was 16 then and was too see that tree cut down a few months later! Thats when I knew, man was basically ignorant and heedless of Nature's beauty, necessity and great dependence upon trees! I have never forgotten that hard learned lesson. My favorite tree, in ignorance destroyed to gain a few more feet to plant cotton! To plant cotton! That can be be grown by the billions with such ease in one season but suddenly more important than a hundred and fifty year old tree! This is my oldest surviving poem from my youth. Presented as was written--no editing.