Hickory Queen of Petrified Forest

Hickory Queen of the Petrified Forest was increasingly fabulous, Proud not arrogant, confident, not smug, and people came yearly to see her She is like the statue of liberty, only prettier, one little girl said to her mother Hickory Queen smiled from her fingers to her toes, but silently, covertly. People picnicked under her, commenting that she appeared to be looking She snickered, glorying in the knowledge that she was also thinking And maintaining a memory for those lonely days when no one came Mostly rainy days, and snowy days. She brought these memories out on these days. She had been built by a tree master who had never intended to share her. However, he had been struck by lightning, and was found a few day later After turkey buzzards alerted people that something was dead in Petrified Forest. Hickory Queen had been saddened by his death. He was like a father to her. He had meticulously chosen each piece of wood, and had constructed her with love. She understood love – she saw it in the families, she now claimed as her own. They came from every part of the county, and sometimes other states To gawk and smile and stand in awe, saying lovely things about her. She loved that.