The Elegant Oak

Silently sauntering down a side street
Enjoying the sunshine
Heretofore hidden for days
Feeling the beams of light 
Filtered through nascent
Leaves of spring
Penetrate my winter skin
Smelling the sweetness
Of the pink petals 
Encircling yellow center
The Rugosa Rose
Beach Rose
Thriving in the sandy soil
Of this coastal community
My foot freezes mid-step
My breath
Filled as it is with the freshness 
Of new spring ocean air
Catches in my throat
 My eyes stretch open
Trying to better take in the beauty
Of the oak tree
Towering over 40 feet high
Set against a cloudless sky
The virginal green leaves of spring
Outlined by
A watercolor blue backdrop
The tree stands alone
Each branch seemingly
A separate entity
A village 
Connected 
Through the rock-solid trunk
Of the majestic oak.
My eyes fill
With tears of awe
As I gaze up at this wonder of Creation
Am I one of those branches
Clinging to the vine
Source of all love 
And life
Separate, unique, alive
While a part still
Of a greater whole
All working together
Creating beauty
Creating life.