A Tree | A Poem by Lilly Tanis

A Tree

By Lilly Tanis

Sometimes I feel just like a tree;

So tall and strong and glad and free.

Firm and solidly in the ground,

And to be seen by all around.

At times enjoying great, long spring

And at these times I laugh and sing. 

So strong and free and unafraid,

With roots so deep that can’t be swayed.

With flowers blooming all around,

Both on my branches and the ground,

Giving thanks and praise to my Lord,

Hope and new life springs from His Word.

Cold snow vanishes like a dream. 

It soon melts and runs in a stream. 

With leaves fluttering with a sheen

And hardship is not felt nor seen. 

In Spring I feel just like a tree,

Growing steadily as can be. 

This time of new life shortly ends,

The next season around the bend. 

Summer is quite different than Spring,

But as I do my work, I sing. 

It is the time for constant growth 

Of all my branches and fruit both. 

These times of growth though, do bring pain. 

When water’s scarce and so is rain. 

My roots search deeper in the ground

To see if more water’s to be found. 

If the Lord’s my Rock in this time 

His water He gives and is mine. 

With my faith in Him, I’ll grow

And I am glad that it is so. 

In the desert of my lifetime 

I know His promises are mine. 

He gives me this strength as a gift. 

At the end, the fruit's ready to pick. 

Autumn is a drastic change in pace, 

It goes much slower; not a race. 

Time to settle down for a while

All my leaves fallen in a pile. 

Warming me for my cold slumber,

Tells me it’s the close of Summer. 

A sleepy time for wondering.

For thinking and for pondering.

The chilly weather cools the ground.

Leaves go fluttering all around.

The cool crispness is wonderous,

The frost settling all around us.

They have their beauty sparkling.

In the sunrise they’re twinkling.

They portray to me the wonders

Of what God makes with His fingers.

The Winter is a chilling time,

It freezes me and numbs my mind.

It dumps the snow the cold winds blow,

Unloading its burden below. 

Weight on my branches is heavy,

How? O how can I keep steady?

My branches can’t take it much more

O how they are burdened and sore.

There’s not much more that I can take. 

One more strain and I think they’ll break.

O Lord help me to take this weight.

Without You I know they will break.

Support, help, and strengthen me Lord!

Strengthen them again with Your Word.

Though the winter ebbs on and on,

Through You and You alone I’m strong.

Winter soon passes into Spring.

When I am thawed and I can sing.

The Spring then gives way to Summer,

Leaves and branches grow in number.

Then Summer fades again to Fall

And I am still there, standing tall.

The chill of Winter comes again,

I’ll lean on my faithful Friend. 

Who keeps me strong through each season.

The drought comes without a reason,

It sometimes seems to be to me.

But I can’t see what He can see.

So I’ll dig my roots still deeper,

Standing strong I’ll face all weather.

My great Protector’s always near

And with Him, I will never fear.

At times uprooted, at times firm,

At times I’m scarred, and great’s the burn.

Through all weather, God cares for me,

Supplies each need whate'er it be.