Family Oak

Despite disability, the love and strength of my family is everything!

From family oak my seed fell to the ground

  like a whisper without a sound,

swept aside by the winds of change,

washed away by the driving rains.

I came to rest on a patch of rough,

the going hard, times were tough, but

  that good old family oak.

 

Through days and years

  of sun and tears

I began to put down roots,

through pain and trial,

under stormy skies

  my seed began to shoot from

  that good old family oak.

 

From acorn seed I grew up strong

  round summers come and winters gone,

winds blew strong and clouds grew black,

thunder rolled and lightning cracked,

the rains beat down but the sun did shine as

  I grew sturdy through family line.

Our histories entwined within my grain,

each knotty ring we're all the same,

together we've grown though life's change,

growing through the love we saved in

  that strong old family oak.

 

For years a child played within my branches,

risking life taking chances,

he'd fall down, get up again and

  continue on just the same.

His want to live and play life's game

  with family, friends, his light aflame,

living each day its ebbs and flows,

scratches, bruises, tales of woe,

taking on what other kids do,

same adventures just following queue.

 

I watched him play in my shade,

good times had, plans were made,

running along with the crowd,

every mile a strain of proud.

Each day heard a different song,

each year a new vein of strong was notched

  in that good old family oak.

 

From early days a sapling small,

with every struggle and every fall

  I watched him grow by the year and

held him close through nights of tears.

School days, jobs, battles fought

  each one with it achievements brought,

with each step, change and shadow long

  emotions felt but a forest strong.

Day to day each passing stage and

  every one like ink on page,

from walking frame to licence and car,

each milestone but a measure

  that marked his path and spoke

  of that strong old family oak.

 

Hard times come a branch will break and

  to the core my trunk it shakes,

winds and storms roots deeper still,

spreading further the iron of will.

Years go by and years go round,

I grow stronger without a sound

  from that good old family oak.

 

My roots stay grounded in my past,

lessons, memories, meanings,

things that will last,

remembering the days of struggles long

  round winters come and summers gone,

I grow still through the years

  from children's laughter and mourning tears.

But that good old family oak is the strength of me

  for the distances ahead I cannot see,

its breath and sunshine in my days,

through winter chill and summer haze

  is that strong old family oak.

 

 

Author's Note

Hope you can understand its metaphorical nature and that it's clear.

Reviews

[Ally Ann]

This poem was very well written and definitely touched me. My family is the most important thing to me, and reading this poem reminded me of that. It can be so hard when our "branches break", but I have found that no matter what happens the strength of my family keeps me steady. Using the tree as a metaphor made this poem intriguing and kept me interested. I really enjoyed reading. Thank you for sharing!

[Richard M]

Thanks Ally for reading and reviewing. This poem is a few years old now and I never set out to write metaphorically, but was thrilled with the outcome. I'm the boy climbing trees (not literally, but just being a part of a mainstream life), oak trees symbolise my family and life in general, 'branches breaking', any upsets, calamities in life, etc. Thrilled you liked it Ally, thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

This is a beautiful poem Richard, one that resonates greatly with me. I owe a great deal to the strength of my parents, and my grandparents, my family tree. Their roots have enabled me to flourish and live well and deal with the hardships and difficult times when they come. I feel truly grounded thanks to them. We learn so much from them don't we Richard, stuff that we in turn can pass down the line? So much love and affection in your words.

Chris

[Richard M]

Thank you Chris for reviewing and your beautiful words. Family is all to me and where I am today is because of them. Am thrilled you like it, thank you!

[Chris Shaw]

It is a heartfelt write for sure, and well written. Pleased to read it.

[Arpita Mondal]

This is so beautiful and encouraging.
Thank you for sharing :)

[Richard M]

Thank you Arpita for your words.

[Onlyme]

Richard this is amazing so heartfelt humble sincere and you Richard are a true poet with a glorious heart and a wonderful family. More power to you all. bravo this was superb

[Richard M]

Dear Dee, thank you so very much for reviewing this and for your beautiful, warming words to me and my family. I am so thrilled that you like it (the smile on my face right now!) This is the most favourite of all my poems. My family is everything and love them so much. Thank you so much Dee for being the first to review this, I am thrilled dear friend.