Goodbye old tree,

we love you.

You were mom's potted Christmas tree,

a tiny star pine

she adorned with a few bulbs and tinsel.

She moved you out to her patio

and faithfully watered you

until she offered you to us

to plant in our front yard.

Into the ground you went,

free now to spread your roots

and grow, grow, grow.

We moved to a different house

and surprise!

you were transplanted with us

because the new tenant

at our former house

had other plans for the yard.

And, oh my, did you grow,

you grew to be the tallest tree

in the neighborhood,

towering elegantly

up into the sky.

Large black birds would perch on your highest branches,

caw-caw-caw they cried out,

proclaiming your majesty.

But, alas, today,

oh beloved tree,

nature is calling you back

to the soil.

You are being removed

to return to the comforting dirt

that blankets your roots.

You grew so tall

but stayed so thin,

the wind is bending you

down, down, down

and you must let go

of your hold on life.

But life will not let go of you.

Just as surely as the sun rises

and the moon follows in the eve,

your friend the wind

will carry your seeds

and you will once again

sprout up green.

This is the miracle of all things.

We will miss you, old tree,

but we will look for you,

and we will find you

and greet you, old, old tree,

because we love you.