A Thick-Trunked Bond

In the mid-summer heat, amongst a forest I walked,

Staring at the strong-trunked, diverse species of trees

And I bonded along with them for the rest of the day 

I gave them sweet company until I turned to leave.

In the midst of autumn breeze, I came back to my forest 

To check in on my ever-standing tree companions,

And to my surprise, they had dyed themselves bright 

A vibrant, vibrant hue of the striking colour orange.

In the medial of winter's blizzards, I returned to my forest

And sobbed as I found the trees standing, but now leafless 

I hugged a trunk, feeling an instant cold emptiness 

And I went back home with a heart full of regret.

In the midpoint of calm spring season, I walked to the forest 

To meet my once tree friends, to wish them all the best 

And to my utter joy, I found them standing yet again 

And this time, with life, with leaves, fruits and nests.

In the time I call many years later, I returned to my forest,

Hoping that after so many untouched days, the trees still stand 

But when I went there the forest had been uplifted 

With no trees to be seen; but an array of vast emptiness.

As I wept over my trees, the trees I'd seen every season

Every season except for that of the years in the very recent past 

I returned yet again, hoping to find the trees have reappeared 

But what has gone has gone, I suppose, and the trees have left;

Nothing shall outlast.

In the years after the trees' departure, I strolled across the former forest,

Now a thriving meadow with beautiful grasses and plants and flowers

I bonded with them careful not to get too close and,

I marvelled at what the trees had given and what I'd got;

And what had been taken.

But as for the memory of the trees, imprinted in my own mind,

They shall reside there forever, nothing can erase them,

And the times I spent, bonding with my companions,

Well, they shall remain as memories; lost 

But never forgotten.