Full Circle Oak

The oak

in my backyard

holds twisted rope and wood

from fun summer days spent swinging

till dark



The tree

out in the back

holds pleasant thoughts and feelings

from youthful fun and first stolen

kisses



That tree

behind the house

holds sad painful memories

of lost jobs, lost fathers, lost loves,

lost time



The tree

is no longer

out back behind the house

no longer holding memories

for me



The oak

is now out front

a playhouse for my kids

where they can laugh and they can love

till dark