The red oak has died and must come down.
Her bark tossed from her body, leaving her smooth cambium
naked to the elements
at the whim of woodpeckers and small black beetles.
Her shade will be missed, protecting
hostas and cooling the flagstone path
leading to our door.
Her like will never be seen again in my lifetime,
her presence forever gone from our home.
She waits each morning for my voice,
needing her body to be moved and cleaned to start her day.
Pale soft skin
to be soothed with balm and loving hands.
Her mornings are numbered with awakenings
counting down to her final rest.
Her shade will be missed, protecting
those under her hand and loving those
that came to her door.
Her like will never be seen again in my lifetime,
her presence forever gone from our home.
thecourseofourseasons 
Wonderful and sad.. a tree can become like a friend, and parting is as you say forever..
sad and beautiful – always painful to witness a gentle giant’s demise 😦
Beautiful and deeply touching.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
Nicely done — and congratulations on the repeat of that final couplet; it becomes something of an incantation.
Oh so sad the mornings numbered with awakenings. Sigh. Stately oak, who gave shade and shelter.
A poignant parallel….