it rises high above a stream
near the edge of woods and field
there it stands through wind and rain
through heat and snow and winter chill
from just a seed this tower grew
though many threats have come its way
from browsing deer to insect hordes
the tree endured beyond our days
and throughout life its gifts abound
from summer shade to winter den
its leaves refresh the air we breath
its branches reach to usher in
by spring the songbirds flit about
and flickers drum its hollow wood
in fall the nuthatch circles round
as raptors scout the fields below
in winter's dark the white wood gleams
and seed filled globes adorn its crown
through ice and snow the seeds await
their chance for glory in the sun
