Twisted dried and withered up I took you out and laid you down to rest A little tear slipped from the corner of my eye when i said goodbye forever I thought of all the dark winter mornings when the only light \i saw was yours You were a big presence in my life, strong forceful and sheltering You received all my black moods graciously and drove them into the earth You were the one constant that I was sure to see in the morning unchanged Until the faithful week that brought with it the glistening black frost I wrapped you tightly, securely to protect you for you were not built to feel such cold I cried in disbelief the day you died as the bewildered birds sat on your bare branches and sang a dirge for you.