When I fear,

And the loneliness hits.

The thought of going through the day alone,

I must confront it and face the unknown.

For I believe,

That despite always having just me,

I have others too.

They may not always be there.

They may not always know,

But together we grow

Into a tree with bark thick as steel.

Attackers beware.

Though we may not be able

To weather this storm.

We will fight, we will mourn-

Our losses. So that other seeds may be not just planted,

But sewed. In soil that they will not take for granted.

Because every nutrient that feeds the tree comes from a great historic memory,

A person who has passed for this gift we call the present.