Ancient Tree Poem by Thomas R. Ruffin

ancient tree
sit there beneath winter heartbreak
and be burdened by the contravention of man
tree of immeasurable wisdom
limbs be weighted an deadened
decay will set from outward in
as time is not kind
all things end
old trees becomes then fallen
upon forest floors they rot
into the earth
without decent notice
and then, in some time, they are forgotten
ancient trees
much like men
yet from men escape souls
and in spiracle waft they go
… the souls of men
but trees
absent such souls
have earthly bindings
so upon cold forest ground
they rot
ancient trees