Century Oak

Towering above the landscape,
each massive branch could be
a handsome tree,
should it surrender
its horizontal existence
and plant itself upright
on the ground.
The century oak
has never swayed,
surviving wind and storm,
drought and downpour,
adding ring upon ring
to its trunk each year.
Every spring
bursting out with
bright green leaves,
dropping them,
turned brown, in fall.
It has shared its shade
with many a boy,
who has since
grown old and died.
Through all it has stood
content and calm,
as though it would
go on forever,
until the new owners
decided they would
rather plant
a garage
there in that spot.