April 22, 2026

In the spirit of my children. A tree they call Tree Daddy.

What have you seen, old man?
Standing here so long,
Roots wrapped in the red dirt,
Listening to the river’s song.
Tree:
I’ve seen the hooves of horses
Where no road had ever been,
Men crossing at the shallow bend,
Before your world came in.
What have you heard, old man?
Tell me what you know,
Whispers in the wind at night,
Stories in the undertow.
Tree:
I heard the drums at sundown,
Fires against the sky,
Voices speaking to the stars
Before the years went by.
What have you felt, old man?
Through thunder, flood, and flame?
Tree:
I felt the hands of children
Who carved into my name,
Felt axes bite my brothers,
Heard each one cry the same.
What have you seen, old man,
As the years took their toll?
Tree:
I’ve watched the river wander,
I’ve watched it lose its soul,
Bridges rose above it,
And time took its control.
And what of today, old man?
Why do you seem so still?
Tree:
They’re coming now to take me,
By iron tooth and will.
I’ve stood for four long centuries,
Now I bend against my will.
Then speak once more, old man,
Before you fall away.
Tree:
Remember me in quiet,
Where the waters used to play.
I held the past within me—
Don’t let it fade to gray….