The Tree. Poem by Sandra Kavanagh Josefsson

It stands there majestically,
overlooking the stream.
Its intertwining branches reach to the sky as if to scream
'Look at me. I have been here for 500 years. I have seen many winters and springs.
I cannot recall how many times I have heard the church bell ring.'

'I have been home to many animals, many generations.
I cannot relay how many different birds have nested in my arms.
They have brought me many elations and
I have kept them from harm.'

'I have seen so many changes in my surrounding area, how the landscape has disappeared.
It is disappointing to see its destruction, its heartbreaking to see how it is steered.'

'I used to look over fields of grassy green, full of lambs in early spring.
Now I see the growing tumultuous building blocks,
that do nothing for the countryside,
but bring continuous shock'.

' They are determined to destroy nature, these greedy elite.
They ravish everything in their midst and destroy all beauty.
They like to count their gold
and pile it mountain high.
They think it shows how successful they are......
They think they will never die.'

'But they do not realise what true success is......
It is to be able to reach the sky,
touch the violet blue,
be home to many birds,
to dig your roots into the earth,
to be part of a miracle that never dies'.

Verse: Sandra Kavanagh (c) .20230109