How Our Trees Change During Each Year But Remain A Constant Thing Of Beauty Poem by Reginald Reid

THE TREE


She stands her arms outstretched embracing all the sky
and to the wind and rain she offers up her tangled web of hair
waiting the warmth of sun and the assuring still balm of quiet air.

With seasons change she dons a vast array of gowns
each in subtle different tones and style appropriate to the time
declaring to all her beauty drawn from a distant different clime.

Not refusing the refuge that itinerant, lost and lonely seek.
Offering food her sacrifice in annual giving
to those who otherwise are weak so they can keep on living

Her offspring number many and are dispersed
so that in time they range both far and wide
and carry on her name while standing tall with pride.

Against the sky her silhouette begins to change with age
Time and growth come with penalties and blessings so it seems
while day by day she fills the space of vacant dreams.

Winter cold demands more of her we are told
She must make her preparations
and shed her sunny weather inspirations.

Facing the wind her outer garments are stripped away
bare arms outstretched chase joy away.
Naked, a skeleton not seen before awaits the clothes of a new day.

And in the early days of Spring when all the birds can sing
she dons her newest gown declaring strong to all around
that life will be sustained and come anew and beauty shall once more be crowned.