The Oak Tree

On a meandering road, many years ago Our destination unknown We came upon an ancient and majestic oak Its branches, bare of clothing; Autumn’s demand of an offering to the soil We stopped and did not venture forward Observing only from a distance Knowing that if we walked among its greatness We would not see the fullness of its truth You sketched it I sat in awe of it Years have passed and she is but a memory The tree no longer stands except for the lifeless remnant, And your sketch A cruel beheading I live knowing that it's greatness, Rooted below the earth Is a soul larger in death than in life