I never knew what tree I was
until the cold of winter came
In spring I grew up tall and straight
My summer branches high and full
With leaves of vivid green and gold;
I gave shade to weary travelers.
But on the first night of deep frost
I knew I was a maple tree,
For tears of pain ran rich as sap
And my leaves began to wither.
My dreams changed color, one by one
then dropped away so silently
I never heard it happening
until one day the breeze blew by -
the dry bone-rattle of barren branch
Was all that broke the icy stillness.
I lay dormant all the winter
Through it all I bore no fruit
Snow collected at my feet
And I was shelter for no one
At last, the thaw, and I resolved
this time to be an evergreen
I'll grow so tall to touch the clouds
years will find me ever stronger;
my roots piercing granite rock,
my long branches home to many
With each I shelter I become
more vibrant, rich and elegant
fierce winters, they will come again
but through it all I shall remain
this time, a mighty evergreen.
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