The Sick Tree

The tree is sick.

No one knew until half its branches lay strewn about the ground,

leaving large ugly black scars where they once grew.

How long have you been sick Old Tree?

The tree only waves in the wind, looking the same as before,

except for the grisly open wounds left behind.

I wonder how much longer this tree will stay standing?

I keep watching it sway,

One cluster of branches remain holding on for dear life...

split in two.

It's a sick old tree,

one with many stories I'm sure.

One that has lived through its fair share of seasons, storms, nestings, and squirrel fights.

One thing I can know is:

This old tree has truly lived.

*Image courtesy of Kevin Grieve from Unsplash