Strike And Stroke Poem by Chris Higginson

The tree stood tall, it scraped the sky
It seemed that it would never die
With branches held so very high
From which we’d hear the eagles’ cry

And then one day in storm so vast
That Nature cowed before the blast
A lightning bolt from heaven cast
A dart into that wooden mast

The magic fire at speed of light
Did strike that tree with all its might
With force enough to then ignite
Its very heart and win the fight

But oaks are made of sterner stuff
Than other trees which aren’t so tough
And so it fought with strength enough
To live, though battle scarred and rough

But now I ask you, memorize
Where stood this tree of giant size
That Nature tried to terrorise
With shafts of light that agonise

The place where did that acorn grow
Was less than you a stone could throw
From an historic French Chateau
Owned by a friend from long ago

My friend now worried that this tree
Was leaning over by degree
And who were we to guarantee
This home of noble Bourgeoisie

And so with chain saw’s banshee howl
He felled this home of tawny owl
And so it died, threw in the towel
Submitting to this gadget foul

And as it wrenched and tore the stump
It fell to earth with savage crump
And hit the ground with such a thump
It caused the very earth to jump

And at that moment from inside
The ‘phone now jangled to confide
The news to him his father died
In Kenya where he did reside

It seems these lives at instant same
Had given up the lifelong game
As each snuffed out the living flame
That frightens off the Devil’s claim

But adding to this history
Is one last thing I must decree
His father was just ninety three
The same as rings within the tree

2nd Provocative Verse