my bark is bruised and marred now
I barely even bud
even with the help of the glowing distant sun
in my youth my branches reached upwards
as far away from this reality that I have come to know
upward to the shining wonder of stars
that I was unable to comprehend
In my youth lovers would sit upon my roots
and take comfort in the sweet embrace of my shade
children would play under me
with make believe visions in their minds
as the climbed as far as they could manage
up my out-stretched limbs
but my bark is bruised and marred now
another casualty to pollution, global warming and age
or so the people say,
but I know differently
the truth is that people stopped coming to me
they forgot what it was to sit and just be
to have play be the most important part of their day
Sometimes I wonder if they ever came at all
or if it was but a euphoric dream
I have but my sentiments left now
as I no longer bud
as I am bruised and marred
as the people forgot me
oh the lonely life of a forgotten tree.