Tim caffery (02/09/1978 / San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, CA)

Heavy rains beat branches and roots
Of massive trees and tiny shoots
Mighty winds seek to carry them away
Both great and small are their prey
A forest expands its life giving community
By defiantly standing in the oneness of unity
Saplings suckle rain from the canopy's expanse
The wind's beaten back by the tight knit stance
In the toughest times leaves fall and feed
Developing seeds with the richest nutrients they desperately need
Thus the weakest grow to profound splendor
No longer the the protected but the courageous defender
Of newness and likewise the noble ancients
Those coming and going from this existance.