O Barren Tree

O Barren Tree

O Barren Tree,

With nothing underneath

Your branches bare

No one to care

Yet upright you stand

And somehow demand

The eyes of a man

Who believes you can.

O Barren Tree,

His eyes can free.

As you stand these days,

Can you match his gaze?

Though with rotted stump,

His gaze may jump,

To boughs deserving

Of his relearning.

O Barren Tree,

Too dry to be.

Your limbs will burn,

That you may learn.

And perhaps one day,

His eyes ne'er away,

Will shed a tear,

And quell your fear.

O Barren Tree,

Can you now see?

Through ashes you rise,

By his watching eyes.