A Tree Between Mountains

By Sara Ellzey

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A tree between two mountains stands

unsure if one is love

or if one will bring pain

unsure if one will hide the light

or if one will push wind through her branches

to help her grow strong

so she can survive the cold winter

between two windy mountains

all is not lost for our little tree

her roots gather their strength in the new spring

she blooms happily then

the tree creates shade in the summer

for those wandering through

perhaps some of her seeds

will journey on with these groups

so they will provide her descendants

their own space to rise up

for ‘twas the two mountains who taught her

of the courage it takes

to simply survive; the courage to live

and of the power she hides

the tree knows she will thrive

it’s bravery she has in spades

for she did not have a choice

survival is a part of her every day life

vulnerability was her shroud

but she knows she can stand

against any tall mountain

or another spring melt

she roots down into the earth

and reaches up towards the sky

for she knows life will no longer pass her by