Ancient Trees by Thomas R. Ruffin.

Ancient Tree

sit there beneath winter heartbreak

and be burdened by the contravention of man

tree of immeasurable wisdom

limbs be weighted and deadened

decay will set from outward in

as time is not kind

all things end

old trees becomes then fallen

upon forest floors they rot

into the earth

without decent notice

and then, in some time, they are forgotten

ancient trees

much like men

yet from men escape souls

and in spiracle waft they go

… the souls of men

but trees

absent such souls

have earthly bindings

so upon cold forest ground

they rot

ancient trees.