Proud and mighty Oaks towered in the meadow Recalling nurture and growth begun ages ago Dad loved to nap in their refreshing shade One afternoon sky darkened with a sudden storm Twisting summer tornado began to take form Against rings of wood did nature invade Running from basement to his lovely trees Finding only splintered limbs he fell on knees Once peaceful meadow strewn by natures grenade A swift and savage motion he never foresaw His heart broke as he carried his chainsaw Pressed into the labor of a lumberjack The lifelong lesson of love and loss stain In sawdust and broken bark which remain and the dense firewood stacked high outback As the years passed and the trees proved warm He started what he was meant to learn When the time was right, he passed along "Son, You plant the seeds and prune the trees Cherishing lovely days in the summer breeze Naïve to what comes in the next dawn So you can fester in anger or heartbreak Rebelling from God's plan you shan't retake T