The sun peeps through the morning mist <br />Bringing warmth to my withered limbs <br />My trembling leaves rustle and unfurl <br />Heaviness deep inside cause me to list <br /> <br />Will I survive another summer heat <br />My strength fast fails me as I gasp <br />when its hot and I am thirsty <br />My torturous roots search deep for sap <br /> <br />They do not have the strength to push <br />As they might once have had <br />To dig deep into solid ground <br />Where moisture could be found <br /> <br />When I was young families came to visit <br />Children hid amongst my leaves <br />They built houses in my branches <br />And made swings from bough to bough <br /> <br />I gave them shelter from the sun <br />Became their umbrella in the rain <br />Was their overcoat in windy weather <br />Why do I feel my life was in vain <br /> <br />Now I feel so tired and weary <br />My usefulness is almost gone <br />Will anyone remember me <br />Even just one year on <br /> <br />Or will some family, out walking one day <br />Whilst reminiscing notice something missing <br />And turning to their children say <br />once there stood a birch tree here <br />but it was always in the way<br /><br />Laurena Pamela Willetts<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/oh-silver-birch/
