This poem was inspired by this tree which has suffered so much in its few years. It was cut down by a beaver, but survived and now has two main branches reaching for the heavens testifying to its perseverance. May we too become stronger through adversity.

Perseverance

In every life: dismay, disillusion, loss, bluff.
Struggling and stretching to see beyond the heartaches,
feeling that "that time" has come.
Enough is enough.

Yet, incomplete calling demands fulfillment,
Perseverance through trials that fell spirits
perpendicular to the goal,
Contentment.

From lost dreams, now unattainable, reaching
higher than before. Stronger through adversity.
New goals revealed.
Achievable.
Believing!

Daniel Linton (2022)