A Tree Stands Alone

The young tree. so thin and green
Held more strength than was seen
It stood alone,but bent with the wind
Springing back to stand again

Unscathed. its limbs pressed harder
Against the elements, against the weather
Its winters were few, its history long,
It learned survival so early on.

Perserverance made him determined
He refused to bow to anything
He beat his branches, dug in his roots
Did what it took to avoid a stoop.

He went to war, he came home
Took a bride, made a life 
Planted seeds, watched them grow
Reaped a harvest, sometimes sorrow

He never asked anything of his world
He worked, he stood, he remained
Gained wisdom from the things he saw
The beauty, the malice and the pain.

How hopeless humans are he thought at times
But he also knew
The Creator of all life saw them differently
He made them too.

He saw  the seasons, he changed
Donned a new coat so many times
Sometimes misunderstood, often revered
He never swayed from what he stood for--this awesome tree,
My Dad.