There Stood A Tree by Paul Steven Stone

There Stood A Tree

There stood a tree
thought stronger than the rest
maybe you remember
it fell some season past
its limbs would climb up to the heavens
while the trunk stayed firm to earth
and all the forest praised its beauty
thanking nature for its birth.

Yes, once there stood a tree
and for miles all had shade
and but for the gift
of one fragile leaf
a wiser world was made
and for the love of a forest
a legacy was sown
the fruit of which we won’t see now
least till the sapling’s grown.

Now the forest is a little darker
and the leaves fall just like tears
they remember that there stood a tree
that helped erase the fears
they recall how the tree would block the wind
and the sun’s harsh morning glare
they remember that there stood a tree
that is no longer there.

No, the wind can’t rustle its branches now
nor the rain wet any leaves
and where once there stood a tree
now lies a solemn grave
yet, still the stump stands proud
in the sun or autumn’s frost
and even winter’s snow can’t hide
just what the forest lost.

There stood a tree
and the tree didn’t die
Ii’s only less visible now
to the naked human eye
but if you cut beneath the earth
you’ll find the roots alive
there stands a tree
and only in that belief
can the forest survive.

Copyright © 1969 Paul Steven Stone
Paul Steven Stone Website