A friend at an end

[m_darko]

There is no rhyme here no sequence

This is but a memory, a passing life

One that can be dismissed or believed

 

As a child I was alone.

As a man the loneliness consumed me

I have but a fond memory

Of a great tree that never dies...

 

I walked a path on the forest's floor

And every which way lead me back to this end

It was as wide as a building, strong like the steel

Its branches stretched out further than the earth

 

It spoke to me at times when I was pure

There were no marks no scratches or axes at its trunk

It was as lonely as I but more content more confident more alive

It was like the the wiseman of legends that no one ever could find

It held more than mans soul ever could stand

 

I visited it as if it were a grandparent

Every time was a treat

It looked so strong, so vigilant so unearthly

 

I remember its strength behind my back

it was my sanctuary my place to relax

It was as if when I came close

I was one if its branches, I was family

 

The epitome of greatness consumed me

Made me different, weird yet intriguing

It was mine yet the worlds, but only I had found it

We were friends, we were one being together

 

As I grew, my visits were rare

The whispers in its breezes became faint

I paid no mind to its suffering

No mind to its despair

 

As the years passed my visits had shortened

I came along to it once every often

Each time it seemed to be weakened

its branches were breaking, its trunk was molding

 

It had been a year or so since I'd seen my friend

I searched for its presense but found no end

I remembered the path as if it were only a day old

But I could not reach it, the path was blocked

 

I had reached an old age, I had children full grown

I had many fortunes, adventures and loves

But it began that each night before my unconsciousness, I thought of the tree

I knew it was dying, dying like me

 

I drove a bit further than any normal day

Something grabbed my attention that I thought was lost

I saw off the road something so real

There was a path so attractive I could not ignore

 

Walking along I found myself tearing through new life

It all was so familiar, yet all new and unforgiving

The thorns tore my skin, the ivy gave rash

I continued on, my last tour of duty

 

As my bones ached and my breath grew heavy

A clearing was found, my heart at peace

My body was bent to my feet from exhaustion

I was able to raise my head

 

There I saw my last few tears

A withered old tree stood before me

No smile came upon my face

My heart sank and my knees fell

 

I saw no branches no leaves, no life

I saw only an old dirty trunk, empty and scared

If this old tree had eyes, it would be blind

Its magnificence was gone; it was alone, like me

 

I stood with no movement, no sound, and no beat

Then I heard the sound of rustling leaves

Life came from the depths of this old tree

Life came from a friend so close to me

 

A moment went by before I noticed a new world

The flowers blooming, the nests, the sound

I walked to the tree, embracing it

I took my time to lean then crouch down beside it

 

My eyes closed, I found a smile

I felt the same as when I was that child

Eyes still closed I heard a breeze

A whisper came just for me

 

There’s my friend I thought I'd never see

A breeze of laughter, of old times

Soothing as nature could always provide

A welcome home, a grateful prize

 

I heard the river flowing at peace

The breeze continued ever so gentile

My eyes were open but I saw not a thing

There I was again with the tree...

It gave me new life...my everlasting dream