The Crooked Tree

Among a stand of stately pines
A tree grew slowly in their midst 
With gnarled trunk and twisted limbs
‘Twas not the same but different 

It grew from seed that was like kind
In soil rich on mountain side
With rains and sun and starlit nights
The same pristine environment 

But oh this tree found challenges 
Growing straight though it tried 
It still bent and turned and curved 
Ever upward towards the sky

And try it might to figure out  
Why it was a bended tree 
No answers came to make it tall
As it grew on, gnarls and all 

In that forest wide and vast
The tree was host to many things
Creatures perched on twisted limbs 
And home for birds to nestle in 

Squirrels scampered joyfully 
Up and down the knotty trunk 
Young ones finding this one tree
Their favorite in the forest sea

It was not perfect or austere 
Staring down from lofty heights 
But shared its lumps and bumps with them 
Sheltered them through darkened nights

Humans loved the tree as well 
Sitting on its crooked trunk
Taking respite on their way 
To pastures higher there to play 

The tree endured for many years
Knowing it was different 
Still possessing something strong 
A refuge sure though it was bent 

And so the tree grew on and on
Each gnarl and twist a testament 
Of strength born out of keeping on 
What e’re the storm, what e’re it meant