When the fire burned out

All that left was charred,

Dark and smoking.

- Complete destruction! 

People couldn't see

the untouched roots

entwined between

roots of many other trees

- All that potential

Still there, 

Just hidden

From those who

Didn't dig too deep.

All they saw

was the annihilation

of what had once been

a great tree.

And then,

The rains fell.

Gentle and persistent.

Saturating the earth

and seeping down,

deep, deep down,

to touch the seeds of life within.

And people were surprised

When seemingly overnight,

New growth appeared.

Even more vibrant,

and such a vivid green -

More growth than they

Had ever seen.

And in this way they learned:

That destruction lies

at the root of creation.

And that out of loss

New life may appear.

© Chanti 2017