Maple and the Oak Tree

The maple and the oak tree always were good friends.
“Maple,” said the oak tree, “this is where it ends.”
“What is that?” asked Maple, taken by surprise.
“This is all that can be seen, despite our lofty eyes.
We laid our roots, gained our heights, reaching for the skies.
Gathered knowledge like treasure, the envy of the wise.
Now the world that lies below is stretched out far and wide.
Yet there is nothing for us atop our green hillside.
What is left to look upon that has not yet been seen?
What power do we have to break this old routine?”

“But Oak," said Maple, “what more is it you seek?
The world goes by without us, as water through a creek.
Marching ever onward, neither here nor there,
But a life without you is more than I could bear.
What would our hilltop be without our verdant leaf?
And what is there that lies beyond but misery and grief?
For what have we built through our lifetime of wear,
But a friendship just as lasting, beautiful, and rare.”

Note for the reader: This poem was written for my book, Beyond the Water's Edge.