An Ancient Oak

An oak tree stood beside a narrow stream All bent and twisted like an agéd man So gently flowed the stream through ancient roots While laughing with the innocence of youth In summertime the children came to play Within the cooling water of the stream Or rest beneath the gnarled oak tree's limbs Spread, father-like, to shade them from the sun In autumntime, when gusts and breezes blow The leaves would float like dancers through the air First here, then there, they softly tripped, until They lit at last to grace the frozen ground In wintertime, the sprightly youths would skate Along the crystal surface of the stream Above, the windswept branches firmly stood Like blacksmiths' limbs are hardened from the forge In springtime burst the oak leaves forth anew As kingly robes they grace the ancient tree Inside its keep the squirrels and thrushes chirp Secure from danger's threat and free from care Time sped, its unrelenting chimes yet tolled The youths that loved its shade have passed away Yet still he laughs and seems to mock at time He stands as stout and tall as ages past But time, its current flows at even pace And now the oak is bent with cruel decay Though doubled at the back like aging man He stands there yet, a monument of strength ~ Written for "Personification" Contest. Second Place.