Poem of the Month

Life of a Lucky Tree

A majestic oak
That's what I am.
My crooked limbs like arthritic hands.
My buds are all swollen, promise of spring.
Hot summer's day, shade thee I bring.
Come fall vibrant color bursts through the air.
In winter I'm dormant. My branches bare.
The bees they buzz around my crown.
"Oh arborist, don't cut me down!"
Some of my neighbors that was their fate
Their health and vigor just was not great.
Just last year I was impeccably pruned.
 Yet first I feared that I was doomed.
But after I shed my deadwood branches,
I felt renewed and took some brave chances.
I leaned a bit more toward the calary pear
Whose beauty is perfect, my true love so near.
Many stop and gaze at her full bloom glory
And bypass me, but stop!  I have a story.
It starts with an acorn amber and shiny
Buried by a squirrel when I was just tiny.
A long cold winter I shivered alone.
In spring I sprouted and oh! how I've grown.
From seedling to sapling my roots have spread.
Each season brings change, none which I dread.
The glorious summer, that moist ocean air.
Beneath my massive canopy they lounge in their chairs.
With autumn I am dapper in all the king's gold.
Then my sweet pear takes notice;  her flirting is bold.
Too soon it is over, my leaves fall to the ground.
My spectacular beauty all spiraling down.
Now snow on my branches glistening, inviting.
Soft whispers on wind to my petite darling.
They reach her on snowflakes her twigs glow in the starlight.
The warmth of my heartwood melts away frostbite.
Adorned with Christmas lights I spread holiday cheer.
Mistletoe, sleigh rides, and Happy New Year!
I send her my love as winter departs.
The warmth of the sun as spring makes its start.
The cycle once more, the four glorious seasons
This majestic oak is happy for so many reasons!

Julie Allenby, 1999

Please submit your tree poem's for poem of the month.