by John Squires

Created on: February 23, 2008

Redwood Song

Roughened red and fibrous shell
Vibrant life still fresh and green
Thickened feet and arms
Embrace the stars and sky
Growing higher every day
Thousands, years gone by
Yet still the old one reaches on
Urged on by the rain and sun
And life that courses up so high
Some time ago a friend in wind he fell
Crashing to the ground in end
Like thunder shaking all the earth around
The shout went out
He's gone
His roots jut up in silhouette
A tombstone of regret
Like a wise old sage
The sentinel still stands
How long?
Many others died
In storms and fires through the years
But the old one presses on
The rain dripping down a million tears
So strong and tall the redwood grows
New threats rang out and echoed
Old fellows thundered to the earth
The axe and saws of men
Laid low the works of thousand years
Young ones quickly took their place
And began again the life long race
How long?
They must go on.

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