a Birch stood in a forest
amongst lines of straighter trees

at first glance they all towered
arms thick with shimmering leaves

all clustered together in a maze
a snapshot of one picturesque scene

yet this birch that stood amongst many
had a different kind of lean

a closer view revealed specialty
confirming scars that battles made

its leaning stance somewhat taxing
and though bowed, it did not break

though wounds of distant wars
and battles of ice storms remained

a stronger stance, non-wavering resilience
is what this birch retained

throughout the years he shared a strengthened coat
of love and wisdom with others ...cedars and oaks

now time has come when he has to move on
to make way for uprising sprouts

who will rise up in strength from wisdom he shared
in dealing with life’s storms and warring bouts.