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Giving Testimony

Story ID:3791
Written by:JANET KESSLER POLUDNIAK
Organization:JUST ME
Story type:Poem
Location:Cayuga NY USA
Year:2007
Person:A beautiful evergreen
Giving Testimony
Giving Testimony
The first photo is of the evergreen that inspired this poem.
The second is of another monarch near my home.
I love beautiful trees that seem to make a statement.


Giving Testimony
©2007, Janet K. Poludniak

I saw her again today . . . standing straight and tall.
Her feet were firmly planted; she was anticipating fall.
There were many indications that life has been quite rough,
but her steady, firm foundation has doubtless been enough.

Her form shows the evidence of long years of abuse,
but she cannot tell her story; to ask – it's of no use.
The storms that she has faced, she knows are not her foe,
instead they've made her stronger so she can stand and grow.

She waved a friendly welcome in the late summer's breeze.
She shimmered in the sunshine as if she meant to tease
me to climb amongst her branches, to spend an hour or two,
but it's been so many years; I've forgotten what to do.

I could feel my pain from suffering . . . all those years gone by;
I wished that I had been as strong. The thought made me cry.
She stood there, giving testimony of God's love and grace.
As I wrapped my arms around her; she welcomed my embrace.

Whenever storms come her way, she bends and fights to stand
and she always has the confidence that her life is in His hand.
She points proudly to her Maker who put her in that place
and commanded her to grow there ‘til she could see His face.
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