Life of a Tree

born from seed

blessed by light

years of risk

left behind

so then a home

for bird and beast

a climbing gym

for raucous youth

for many years

it spreads its gifts

cleaning air

dropping food

decades hence

disease took hold

its mighty form

gray and bare

yet still a loft

for hawks and owls

until its trunk

began to fail

and now its wood

decays to earth

a source of food

for newborn trees 

Turning Point

a celebration

as it were

a glass or two

a special day

future plans

were on the plate

fears expressed

suggestions made

but now it's clear

this was the end

too much said

yet not enough