Oaks Poem by Gert Strydom

Oaks are big, sturdy trees,
giving great shade in summer,
lining the way to the university
where students walk
with each other romantically

but in winter with the pouring rain
and strong storm winds blowing
they can be menacing
with branches falling on parked cars
crashing roofs, shattering windows

even more sinister
they kill students in winter,
tipped and uprooted
crashing down on a car
travelling in the road

blocking off a entire street
and there’s uneasiness
around a dead oak tree
with its long roots protruding
lying like a fallen giant

as if it’s wood is fit for coffins,
pallets holding nuclear bombs
and not fit for furniture,
cabinets, floors and barrels
that it’s used for.