the arrow and the song

Photo of Southern Red Oak was taken in August 2008, Berea, Kentucky.

This is the Great Southern Red Oak that appeared in a long poem I wrote about my dad, but I haven't finished it yet.  There's some rough spots, some tender verses, a few prickly points, and broken limbs and fallen leaves all around it.  It may never get cleaned up.  The tree is the one with the lightning scar down its trunk.  I saw that one evening, late, and stared up at the tree.  It reminded me of my dad.  And Gemini was in the sky.
I came across this poem tonight, too. It is appropriate for other reasons and memories.  Thank you, Longfellow.