The Trees Stand Alone
Trees stand alone in the concrete jungles of the world
They unfurl their green leaves as each winter recedes
Providing life for the roaming inhabitants of the Earth
Alternating hues of brown make up their aged bark
Thick curling branches reach out into the surrounding space
Battling impervious man-made borders for sunlight
Humans in these urbanised centres see these overgrown plants differently
It’s merely wood waiting to be chopped
Added value to a property
A dense foliage obstructing their view
The trees have no friends here
They stand patiently, providing generously, awaiting their fate
Their roots must penetrate metal, brick and mortar that encroach upon their territory
They cannot rely solely on the richness of the surrounding soil
Nor on the falling rains that are diverted systematically to nearby drains
As pollution grows, each urban tree takes laboured breaths
But they are no strangers to adversity
They have weathered many passing storms
