I spotted this fallen tree in the wooded area of our farm. It made me reflect on life and how fleeting life is. That inspired me to write this poem.

 

 

I, the Fallen

 

I once stood tall, my limbs stretched wide,

Growing from a seed, I reached my stride.

My leaves were green, my trunk was strong,

I held my ground, endured so long.

 

Through summer warmth and winter’s chill,

I bent and swayed, but stood tall still.

Then time itself weighed upon my form,

It grew harder and harder to bear the storm.

 

The rain once danced upon my skin,

Then time stole my strength and wore me thin.

But still, within my aging core,
A wish remained, a dream for more.

 

Hopes for the beauty of another spring,

And the long cold winter to lose its sting.

But winter winds that once I cast away
Stole my strength, and made me sway.

 

My journey was done, my roots let go,

I shuddered, broke, and crashed below.

I could not fight, I could not flee,

And then the sky felt far from me.

 

Even though I fell, and soon will fade,

My soul still lingers inside the glade.

Perhaps a sprout will rise anew,
Where once my mighty branches grew.