The Young Sweet Gum

I thought the young sweet gum had died
Since every bud the branches grew
Soon dried and took a somber hue
All spring and summer through;
Still, all the neighbors by its side
Full flourished green and flowered bright
Beneath the heaven's given light,
With help, I thought it might
Leaf out some life still hid inside.

I gave the tree an extra drink
Without concern too much was drunk
And pulled the weeds from 'round its trunk,
As loyal as a monk
Who pens a prayer with bottled ink,
I poured and poured without regard
For water wasted in a yard
Where limbs seemed dead and hard
Should effort's prayers end in a blink.

October's autumn came around,
The sweet gum's neighbors wore their suits
Of mottled colors, ripened fruits-
The seasonal pursuits;
And, looking closely what I found
Upon the sweet gum's trunk and limbs,
Like notes of music penned for hymns,
With dots of green it brims
And plays a reborn, spring-filled sound.

Rich Tassinari 10/20/2012