Standing at its base it was bigger than life.

It fell from rot in the core.

How long it had been decaying is unknown.

There were signs that it was sick but little was done.

It took down other life in the path of its crash.

Some were graceful evergreens in the prime of callings.

Others were ornamental trees and shrubs with unopened buds.

The tangled mass of limbs have reached many far and wide.

We must protect our youthful plantings in the future.

Now we start a long cold winter of change, healing, and new life.