Growing

A young woman sits
beneath an old, burnt tree.
A child plays before her
closer to the sea.

A memory reminds her
of times so long ago.
When she saw the power of love
and its ability to grow.

***

He was a prince
a King amongst men
who sought out to prove
the sword will fall to the pen.

She loved him far better
than words could express,
when he asked her to wed
of course she said yes.

Four years they found bliss
danced in the light of the moon.
When their daughter was born
they named her for June.

Though happiness reigned
in their kingdom so fair-
neighboring lands were at war
rebellion rich in the air.

One day she woke early
he was not by her side.
With trouble behind her
she called, " Love, do you hide?"

No voice rose to meet her
she ran to her babe.
the note pinned to June's blanket
said, Yourselves you must save.

Tears on her cheeks,
fear enshrouding her heart,
she scooped up her child
and hid, from the battle, apart.

Many hours they hid
alone in the dark.
'till the silence was steady
save the song of a lark.

The courtyard was strewn
with both friend and foe-
telling of horrors of battles
when men fall so low.

Only one face,
she struggled to see-
her heart beating fast
like the wings of a bee.

Then she saw his shield,
the one that bore their crest,
by the water he looked so still
she mistook him to be at rest.

June struggled to be free,
in the mist of tragedy still sunny,
she sat down by her darling dad
and smiled because he looked funny.

"My lovely little girl,
you look just like your mom.
You have her disposition too,
so sweet, so smart, so calm."

June was far too young
to hold the moment dear.
She kissed his face, toddled away
untouched by any fear.

Her mother, in contrast,
knew the situation to be grim.
She was trembling like a leaf
as she crossed the space to him.

So many words to say
but she couldn't think of one.
She knelt beside his familiar form- .
grateful for the sun.

She memorized his face
to keep for days to come.
Without truly ever feeling
that their time would soon be done.

He raised an arm, held on to life
long enough to smooth her hair.
"If I was an evil ogre love
I'd trap you in my lair."

His voice was growing softer
she leaned in close to hear...
"Beauty like yours should be hidden away
and savored more with every year."

Just before he slipped away
the strangest thing occurred,
his body started changing
though she didn't say a word.

His feet stretched deep into the earth
moved by life anew.
His arms reached up into the sky
from his fingers branches grew.

Before his body was engulfed,
in a wave of living bark.
She pressed her hand into his chest
so hard it left a mark.

"This is happening because I love you,
too much to let you go,
I will stay here for all my days-
your love our child will know."

She built their home around the tree
June flourished and she thrived.
At night her dad rocked her to sleep
like he did when he was alive.

*****

Now June sits beside that tree
a woman truly born of love.
She smiles at how her life turned out
and thanks God in heaven above.

As she stands to leave the tree
she recalls the night it died.
Lightning came and struck it down
and also claimed its bride.

Before she calls her son to her
she turns around to say goodbye,
She notices the broken bark
and leans in to find out why

She sees a perfect hand print
now petrified in time.
A testament to the strength of love
in it's purest form sublime.