Side by side they proudly stand
facing wind and snow,
reaching to the stars above,
rooted in the earth below.
One acorn in a tiny pot
sends down a probing root,
boring through the soil,
it anchors fast its foot.
Mighty guardians of the past
when forest covered earth,
miracles of nature’s art,
bringing life to birth.
Once planted in the wood
a community emerges,
as roots form a living mat,
each carrying life’s surges.
Fixing carbon in the soil
turning sunlight into leaves,
shepherds of the atmosphere,
giving us air to breathe.
The trees carry all our hopes
for living on this earth,
if we cut down much more
we lose what it is worth.
A squirrel dances on a branch
rooks clamour in the crown,
insects burrow in the bark,
the acorns tumble down.
The two oaks are witnesses
to our ancient past,
telling us to change, or
we will never last.
17.6.20