The Oak Tree
by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr.
A mighty wind blew night and day It stole the oak tree’s leaves away Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark Until the oak was tired and stark
But still the oak tree held its ground While other trees fell all around The weary wind gave up and spoke. How can you still be standing Oak?
The oak tree said, I know that you Can break each branch of mine in two Carry every leaf away Shake my limbs, and make me sway
But I have roots stretched in the earth Growing stronger since my birth You’ll never touch them, for you see They are the deepest part of me
Until today, I wasn’t sure Of just how much I could endure But now I’ve found, with thanks to you I’m stronger than I ever knew