Wallney Oak
To hold, as twere, the mirror up to nature
To touch its bark and watch its leaves depart
As if the tree has somehow lost a wager
And with that loss, it somehow just lost heart
A friend thought I should write an ode
To this old tree on Walney Road
This mighty oak that cast a shade
Before the white man did invade
That saw the Indians depart
Back when Lord Fairfax had his start
That saw the settlers clearing land
Who somehow let this oak tree stand
And stand, it stood 300 years
It heard our laughter, heard our tears
It stood there through our Civil War
As Union troops went door to door
It’s known that soldiers set up camps
And on its branches, hung their lamps
Then when this country lane was paved
They placed a curve, this tree they saved
A landmark for those living near
This oak tree that we held so dear
But lightening strikes and driving wind
Have brought this oak tree to its end
Then suddenly one day we found
The county brought this oak tree down
Where once this mighty tree did sway
We’ve naught but memories today
Mdailey 4/20/11
Copyright © Mike Dailey | Year Posted 2011
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