Tree Of Life

This old tree is full of pain and rot,

In my roots, trunk and bough,

I am weak but once I was strong.

In life, I was eager and optimistic in the spring air,

I was stoic, working in the best of the summer sun,

I lovingly helped and passed a legacy of seed to autumn soil,

I was pragmatic and resilient in the cold winter snow,

I am wise from all this turning of time,

I know death but at end of the season,

I don't know what comes next but then,

Does winter ask "will there be spring?"

I accept it is my time to pass,

For my sap to slow,

All things once to an end,

I cannot deny my eventual fall,

When I finally lay down,

My body will belong to,

The birds and animals,

To the soil,

They will take care of my details...