Poem: Trees and Tornados

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
The fallen might and broken dreams now gone
All you can do is try your best to love
Surrender all your wishes and efforts above
When given a cross, try to smile and carry on