From a Rock to a Tree

Free Verse - Janice Riley

I was born a beautiful ball of clay - a sparkling mix of colors and light.

My parents and I transformed that clay into a beautiful boulder of pink granite - a sparkling mix of crystals, pink and black.

My first husband and I shaped that boulder into a beautiful piece of art - full of life, sparkles, curves, and children.

My first husband and I shattered that beautiful piece of art until all that was left a pile of mixed crystals - pink and black, but less sparkling now.

My children and I took the those crystals cleaned and polished them, added love and light until they transformed into a beautiful sparkling tree - full of strength, light, and powerful roots dug into the remaining granite.

My second husband and I are nurturing that beautiful sparkling tree now - feeding her love, laughter and sunshine. Her roots and her branches are growing, expanding and grounding into the now.

My beautiful sparkling tree will lose branches and leaves as the seasons pass - even with the best care. And yet, there is hope for the future, because this beautiful tree is planting seeds for future trees to grow in her place.

One day my branches will break and fall one last time, back into a beautiful ball of clay - a sparkling mix of colors and light - waiting to be transformed yet again.