century oak

towering above

the landscape,

each branch itself

could be

a handsome tree

should it surrender

its horizontal existence

and plant itself upright

on the ground.

the century oak

has never swayed,

surviving wind and storm,

drought and downpour,

adding ring upon ring

to its trunk each year.

every spring

bursting out with

bright green leaves,

dropping them,

turned brown, in fall.

it has shared its shade

with many a boy

who has since

grown old and died.

through all it has stood

content and calm,

as though it would

go on forever,

until the new owners

decided they would

rather plant

a garage

there in that spot.