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.
Copyright © Robert Lindley | Year Posted 2015
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