He took his leave for one last time
but in the place he left
a tree is growing, reaching out
to anyone who needs support.
He is its fresh canopy,
home to a million residents
and shade to passers-by.
He is a landmark,
the courageous navigate by his reliability,
follow his pointing branches in all directions.
In death,
he is the tree of life.
(c) Andrew Halsall Smith, 2018
