Determination

Grow where you are planted.

Crevice in the sandstone
not the best for a home
forced into existence
meager the subsistence
rain will come and go
also will come snow
tendrils follow tiny cracks
multiply and circle back
intricate the tangle
follow every angle
curved in seed pod fetal
out comes leaf or needle
arm is raised to stretch for sun
followed by another one
legs now like a spider
stronger and much wider
cleave the stone and take a drink
but while growing never think
wind assails with laughter
bending now and after
body now a trunk and head
barren ground around lies dead
splitting stone back into sand
with the body but no hands
trying to be taller
wearing a rock collar
years go by with subtle change
floor below is rearranged
tentacles entangled
crooked and some mangled
fearless in pursuit of life
piercing stone but not with knife
somehow you are living
dying but still giving
someday toppling but not yet
firmly planted roots are set
time is moving slowly
for the bent and lowly
in the rock the trees have grown
never fearing the unknown