The Oak

What can the oak tree lean on?

What does the oak tree lean on?

Buffeted by winds on all sides

Standing firm, but shaken too

Stirred from within

A rustle through the leaves,

Then silence.

What can the oak tree lean on?

 Does it remember: it was an acorn?

It came from an oak tree too

That tree, now gnarled

Knotted, withered

Yet standing.

Roots entrenched deep,

Earth its anchor,

A little bent maybe

Still steadfast.

Our oak stands up straighter,

Digs deep into its reserves

Squares its branches

A ripple shakes the leaves

The oak straightens up,

Ready for the storm.