My Friend Out Back

My Friend out Back My friend out back I envy thee, for what is known within your rings. I will never see. We met when I first swung from and climbed amongst your branches, You got to know me as I stole my first kiss in the midst of your silhouette, We became friends as I lay next to you reading books, contemplating life. As I laid beneath you, in reflection, your shade expresses your affection. As Spring brought its gentle breeze and the scent of life renewed, Coxing the flowers to bloom and the birds sing, we share in the Earths laughter, With the days ending chapter stars fill the sky to wink at us once more, I blush at their magnificence and smile back; do take pleasure in them, For there’re not there to make us feel insignificant nor small, They are our ancestors; we are made from the same dust after all. My friend, from seed to casting grand shadow, I don’t think we are so different, Do our roots not come from seeds felled from branches long ago? Do you shed leaves in winter, as I shed tears from winters of friends lost? Does our bark not thickened from the coldness of days gone by? Will we not give shade to all living things seeking our compassion? Do your branches not bear fruit to show your love, as I bear the fruit of my heart for the ones I love? Does your strength not lie within your trunk, as my strength lies within mine? When You exhale I breathe, when I exhale You breathe, Does not Nature connect all things? Time the great lender, the debt must be paid, one day all will wither away, True, you will stand longer than I, Now much older, I will sit and watch my children as they swing and climbed amongst your branches, They are too young yet to know, the shade a true friend can bring. So cast your shadow of compassion upon them, so one day they will know. My friend out back, A place to echo memories and learn what nature knows.