Death of a Pine Tree

I stood quiet, regal...in timeless innocence, arms touching the sky, bent in the wind. Sun caressed my limbs...my life was dense and sheltered by Nature...never to end. I nestled birds close to my breast, shaded the earth...with gentle care. Rain bathed my limbs...I was caressed by night, and I knew no despair. Footsteps approached my ageless shade, a man and woman...I thought to rest. Sun sparkled upon the shining blade, the approaching death of my bequest. The blow was struck deep to my heart, seeking to take my soul and breath, and strike me down...I would depart life...to the darkness of eternal death. I stood hard against the angry blows, and sought to know the reason why, my gentle life had gathered foes, who held desire to watch me die. I did not go gently into the dark demise, alone, unloved, without pain and fear, for standing by, the woman's eyes, held sorrow, and a soft sweet tear. Patricia Langston-Moran