Oh Silver Birch Poem by Laurena Pamela Willetts

The sun peeps through the morning mist
Bringing warmth to my withered limbs
My trembling leaves rustle and unfurl
Heaviness deep inside cause me to list

Will I survive another summer heat
My strength fast fails me as I gasp
when its hot and I am thirsty
My torturous roots search deep for sap

They do not have the strength to push
As they might once have had
To dig deep into solid ground
Where moisture could be found

When I was young families came to visit
Children hid amongst my leaves
They built houses in my branches
And made swings from bough to bough

I gave them shelter from the sun
Became their umbrella in the rain
Was their overcoat in windy weather
Why do I feel my life was in vain

Now I feel so tired and weary
My usefulness is almost gone
Will anyone remember me
Even just one year on

Or will some family, out walking one day
Whilst reminiscing notice something missing
And turning to their children say
once there stood a birch tree here
but it was always in the way