My Tree Still Stands 3-24-09

The whipping winds, the freezing rain,
it did not understand the strain -
and did not understand the stress
of wicked, wintry colds excess.

Until the springtime snow was melting,
it kept taking earthly pelting.
It held firm throughout the frost
and persevered despite the cost.

Freezing rain was in the air -
yet life grew out of everywhere.
How can freezing offer good
as this tree stands misunderstood?

Does it strengthen, does it now?
Does it make me wonder how?
Does it test me, does it try,
and does it hurt me - make me cry?

Do trees know that life's not fair?
and do they know if God is there?
Liberty and freedom's great -
but it's not easy fighting hate.

Yet sunshine sees (through its appearance),

vast rewards from perseverance -
springtime buds its cheers of joy
and proves this world cannot destroy.

For God alone holds season's times -
protects our souls from earthly crimes.
And though the world claims its demands -
in springtime warmth, my tree still stands.

©2009 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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A Moment To Smile 10-5-07

 

Deep into the woods in my truck I seemed lost.
The brisk, chilly breeze was still holding the frost.
Because it was dried up and totally dead,
I decided to cut down this big tree instead.

The ants had been busy all over that tree,
before my big chain saw had made them all flee.
The noise and vibration and all the turmoil,
(had it happened to me, would have made my blood boil).

But they simply scattered if off to the races,
to other safe havens - to other safe places.
My muscles all ached from my head to my feet,
but I felt so content - with my job now complete.

It seemed that my actions were merely a bump,
to ants now so busy inside that tree stump
I wondered which one, if any, had won -
the ants or myself as I thought my job done.

As I sat on the gate of my rusty old truck,
loaded down heavy with logs - was now stuck -
and realized then that it's sometimes worthwhile,
to sit back a moment, a moment to smile.

©2007 louis gander - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://www.ganderpoems.org/

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