A Trees Second Life Poem by Alison Gaff

Last year a big tree in the park
Was split and damaged in a storm
But instead of chopping it all up
A sculptor used it to make a form

Round the bottom etched into the trunk
Swimming fishes are carved in relief
Can you find the badger, squirrel and the fox
And a giant snail, who's size is on belief

Snuggled up in a hollow branch
Five little owlets are peering down
Underneath them you'll find the hedgehogs
While a snake winds it's way around

There's bees on giant honeycomb
All carved into the tree
A giant grub and two sweet mice
And there's still more to see

Here and there leaves have carved
Together with a stunning butterfly
And way up high a hawk pivots
As though its flying in the sky

Then lastly at the tallest point
Sits a magnificent barn owl
And then if you do look real hard
You'll see its signed O'Neill

I often visit this 'tree of life'
And watch it changing with the light
The sun brings out it's natural beauty
And I like the shadows of the night