That Tree.
For height, girth and spread
they said
there was never one like it.
Weighing a train-load with
oaken coat on
it took every seasonal gale.
but was never stirred.
Winter blasts groaning thru\'
nude branches
tore down good fire-wood.
Sagely magnificent
it withstood many decades
of weather behaviour,
sheltered all feather and fur
for generations,
made lovers a hiding place
but now it\'s not there.
Yet I see a sapling has been
fighting for air
and some say a gone-tree\'s
ghostly presence
can urge spurts of growth
in its successor.
I sincerely hope this is so
for all who pass by
that one-time great oak
will have to sigh as
its memorable strength will
be mightily missed.