Tree

The tree stands strong,
With leaves full and green.
A shelter and shade for those
Who seek its comfort from the heat,
From the sun’s intensity.

As days grow shorter, leaves fade,
The green changing to brown.
The breeze chills, forcing the leaves to fall,
Forcing the branches to be bare.
Causing the shelter and shade to fail.

The tree stands alone,
Empty arms outstretched, lonely.
Waiting, for what, it doesn’t know.
The wind howls, swirling the snow,
Freezing and bending the tree with its weight.

It shifts and groans, trying to withstand
The change. Trying to stay hopeful.
But as the sky turns purple, the clouds stay dark,
It feels its strength fading, and wonders
If it’s time to give in. To give up.

But what the tree can’t see, is the sunlight coming,
That the only consistent thing is change.
And as time goes by, strength will be renewed.
The snow will melt, the sky will warm
And the leaves will, once again, be green.