Rooted

I grew from seed in a forest of trees I did not understand, Some of their branches whipped in the wind at my side Others sheltered me from storm, I grew upwards, and below my roots mingled with the soil and the cold earth. I did not blossom in the spring like the other trees The old oak loomed over and shadowed my sun, In darkness, I dreamed of further forests Where I could grow as I should, Other trees had gone before Cut down there dust like ashes lay about the forest floor, But to be table or chair Did not sit easy in my mind, Dead wood in a home with no sky, A window to look at a world outside. Rooted in that cold earth I called to passers by to dig, Stretching my own branches To limits that almost broke I untangled my self from the grip of other roots flew like a bird released To a world unknown And it was a jungle out there! Some looked at me and saw fire wood Others wanted to tend to my branches like topiary I just wanted to forget where I had come from, But a tree does not grow without roots As a person does not grow without past Into the person they were meant to be, So in another plot of land I planted myself And remembered the trees I did not understand, And the cold earth from which I had sprung, I remembered the journey and the passers by, I grew upwards My roots mingled with the soil I reached towards the sun and sky.