The Faithful Oak

I planted out an oak tree  
One hundred years ago;  
I saw her fed and watered,  
I watched her lithely grow.  
I watched her through the winter wild  
Frosted, frore and dark.  
I watched her as the summer sunburn
Baked her golden bark.  

My friend the ardent oak tree  
Drew me by the hand;  
Her strength an inspiration,  
She taught me how to stand.  
Amidst the savage blizzard  
She learned to bow and bend;  
Resisting stormful battles,  
Triumphant in the end.  
 
Now an aged oak tree,  
Her wisdom with me resting,  
She, towering tall, majestic,  
Withstanding nature's testing.  
Her arms suffuse, embracing,  
She beckoned me with pride;  
I laid me down within her shroud  
And neath her sanctum died.  
 
ASJ