River of Words: Poetry

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Your Majesty, the Oak

Your torso sways in the wind
You are old
You are wise
Your scorched skin, defiled
A pale remembrance of your once royal body
Knobby knees
Persistant woodpeckers
Storing their riches in their bank,
you, leaving nothing but holes in return
Sharp green leaves your only means of defense
no longer effective
Your only happiness left in this cold world
the knowledge that you have given birth to many others
Your children, acorns,
the only living part of you left after you have fallen
a long-awaited rest
You are old
You are wise
You are oak

Sean Fleming , Age 13
Carmel Middle School
Carmel, California
Teacher: Tracy Niewenhous

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