A Tree

Shoot pushes through earth, thrusts sunwards.
Root burrows into soil seeking water.
Birth of a tree.

Stem firms to trunk, branches.
Leaves appear.
Roots grasp the world with force.
Tree stands strong.

Leaves fall, leaves grow.

Through centuries tree stands, branches spread;
canopy of leaves shades the ground.
Then, year by year, less shade; branches grow bare,
fall without warning. Tree dries, begins to fail.
Rots from within.
Hollows.
Tree dies.

© John Snelling