Pushing through the soil and pebbles,
A seedling fights to grow,
Thrusting roots through rocks and crumbles,
Unfurling leaves more and more.

It burst above the gravelly grounds,
Drinking in the light,
Stretching and reaching towards the clouds,
This sturdy plant is now a sight.

Many a dawn has passed by now,
This huge tree has seen it all,
Leafing and branching and thickening so,
Growing, shady, mighty and tall.

Alas, an axe flung crashing one day,
Against the protesting wood,
To put an end to decades of work,
One hour was all it took.