I looked up at the tree, so much bigger than me.
Its branches spread wide,
for all who would see.
So big and so tall, higher than them all;
strength fresh and still green;
many felt its call.
There were other trees too, and all of them grew;
less tall than the one,
yet filled with virtue.
The world did aspire, with full heart’s desire,
to rest in the trees;
but then came the fire.
Slow did it burn, before any could discern,
the hurt to the trees;
yet few had concern.
People weren’t afraid, of loss of the shade;
the raw heat of the sun,
they thought an upgrade.
But the light was too bright, and damaged their sight.
Now they can’t see,
but still think they’re right.
Some trees became ash, others fell with a crash;
but not the great one;
it stood strong in the clash.
Great fire and smoke, they both couldn’t choke.
The tree remained green,
and many awoke.
Some from the town, tried to chop it down.
Its trunk was too strong;
For these men of renown.
Seething in fury, they made up a story;
condemning the tree,
before a great jury.
Some were offended, but some still defended;
a great war broke out,
and many contended.
People died on both sides, and the tree still resides,
in its same spot,
despite the divides.
Other trees bloomed, from the ash they were groomed,
the forest replenished,
the dead trees subsumed.
The one tree grew high, from the earth to the sky.
It looms now forever,
because it can’t die.