Phillip W Walter

A Gale in the Park

It stood for years, but now it is dead,
Lying over on one enormous side.
Branches spread out like lifeless arms
There\'s nowhere now for Squirrels to hide.

Dark grey is the trunk that lies there
With bright white flesh exposed like a sore
The moss green of the north facing bark
Is contrasted by the red rot of the core.

A rogue wind in the dark killed this tree.
A steady blow would only have it bent.
It withstood strong blows for years before,
But this time a Hurricane was sent.

Autumn had not yet collected its dues
For the leaves were still attached.
Nature should have let them fall as usual
Before it had the Tree dispatched.