The Tree, The Vine And The Grass Poem by Pacific Hernandez

The tree said to the grass, 'Is it your contentment
to be just at my foot, remain under my shade?
Why don't you do as I, my aims are very high.
I want to reach the moon and the stars in the sky
With far reaching vision, I stand in dignity
Stand out for the rest of the forest to see.'

'Oh yes, oh yes, my friend', said the vine to the grass
'Why do you not aim high, just like the two of us?
My stance is upright, reaching high altitudes
I can stand side by side with any tree I choose
Unlike you who remain earthbound without a choice.'

'To you my friend, a tree, I do not want to be
equal to you in height, low I would rather be.
For the law of nature, I clearly remember
You stand the higher, you will fall the harder
I do not aim for things I know I would not reach.
Earthbound I chose to be, than fail in my attempts.'

'Here's what I have to say to you, my friend, a vine.
Stand I will not if it's on a borrowed stance.
On the arms of a friend you just cling and depend.
You cannot stand alone, own strength you do not have.
When I pause to reckon and try to look around,
in the world of humans, the likes of you abound.
They cling to anyone who has money and might,
as you cling to the tiny twig or biggest branch,
wanting not to be low, not to be trampled at.'

Then a hurricane came with its wind blowing wild
It uprooted the vine, the tree fell to the ground
And there they lay in waste, under the sun they died
The grass is still there, flourishing and alive.