Travis Hedge Coke

yet never lost
never lost footing, ground, power

Were it a few shades lighted

or dead, romanticized

or devious and corrupt,

there would be statues erected in its likeness
mountains carved to it

towns and kingdoms named for it

Instead it stands

as it lived

defiant without offense

a solid barrier

it still stands

now holding dignity and respect
Its craggy woods

are hard and dry

soft lighting fires

into it, bull frog leap away
the oak still stands.

72