The Oak Tree
by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr.
A mighty wind blew night and day.
It stole the Oak Tree's leaves away.
Then snapped its boughs
and pulled its bark
until the Oak was tired and stark.
But still the Oak Tree held its ground
while other trees fell all around.
The weary wind gave up and spoke,
"How can you still be standing Oak?"
The Oak Tree said, I know that you
can break each branch of mine in two,
carry every leaf away,
shake my limbs and make me sway.
But I have roots stretched in the earth,
growing stronger since my birth.
You'll never touch them, for you see
they are the deepest part of me.
Until today, I wasn't sure
of just how much I could endure.
But now I've found with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew.
This blog is dedicated to women and the strength that comes from our most trying moments. Our hope for this blog is to reach out and learn from one another. We want this to be an arena of hope and expression, where we can feel free to share our experiences and vulnerabilities without reservation.
There is strength in numbers. And after all, we all affect each other. Let's strengthen one another's roots and not create harsh wind.
28 comments:
I love this poem! I recently got diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant with my first child. I had 2 surgeries in April and I begin Chemo monday. I received this card from some loved ones and I read it daily to keep me strong. I also have written and strongly believe that women are full of strength, love and compassion and we owe it to each other to care for ourselves and other women.
http://myboobandmybaby.blogspot.com/
The ancients believed we share a life spirit in common with trees. A placenta resembles the shape of a tree, in particular the mighty Oak.
Could you tell me where you found this poem? Is it available in published form?
I made a cross stitch of a bare oak tree years ago and never had it framed. My daughter came across it and fell in love with it. After my son was killed in Afghanistan in April I decided to frame it for her. This poem is a perfect accompaniment for it...thank you
I lost my son James Emerson Oct 11, 2003. He was a Full-term Stillborn. My very best friend gave me this poem and it has since been a very healthy and healing poem to read.
I saw a card with this poem on it after I had been through chemotherapy and was amazed at how much it depicted what cancer and the treatments do to the body and the spirit. There is strength is all of us that nothing and no one can take away. Keep fighting!
Been having a trying time lately and stressed from work and my husband brought me home a card today with this poem in it and I think it is now a new favorite of mine!
I like this poem
ewrewrew vtr
Me and my mom never had a close relationship, when I was growing up on a farm with my uncle it was one of the hardest times of my life. She sent me a card with this poem, everytime I read it, it gives me strength. It's a beautiful poem.
Saved my life.
I received a card with this poem after a very serious illness and stint in the hospital. I cried because it is so beautiful. It made me realize how strong I am and now I pass it on to others to help them see just how strong they are.
The amazing relationship between God and nature gives this story life. It needs no explaining. The neat thing is that in poetry like this, the Holy Ghost tells us the truth of these things, testifies of Christ, and comforts at the same time.
Don't make this about God person above me. Not everyone believes, or maybe they do but in another God.
To Anonymous, in the description of this blog it clearly states: "We want this to be an arena of hope and expression, where we can feel free to share..." So I say to you, don't make this about closed minded individuals like yourself and embrase that when one reads this poeam they may be reminded that with God "roots" we can withstand any trying time. I will pray for blessings on you and your family. :)
Hello! How do you think what does your average reader look like?
I read this at my grandma's funeral. She suffered from lung cancer
I saw a card at hallmark with this poem on it, I was looking for anything in perticular but bought this for myself. I had lost my father and my husband and was pregnant with my son and this card spoke to me. As the years have passed by with each tough moment in life I read that card and think of them and I grow strong. I know God will not give me more than I can bare and remembering my strong family roots have kept me going. I pray my son will remember my strength in it make him feel like a Mighty Oak too!
My mom was just diagnosed with Lung cancer that has metastasized to the brain. There are times that I have crumbled beneath my own emotion. I am normally one of the strongest people that I know.
I thought of this poem and how often I share it with anyone close tom e going thru a difficult time.
I have now copied this and framed it and have it in my office and at my home....
Beautiful strength in those words ---
My husband and I were given very bad advice from a Tax attorney we lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, it nearly ruined us. Mybrother in law sentí it to my husband and it has become my favorite poem. O have it memorized it. And use it to help others all the time
I just bought that poem in a card last night. I spent the better part of an hour reading cards- I don't like using other peoples words- sappy-universal commercial- but sometimes I JUST DON'T HAVE MY OWN- somethings are much too hard to address with words. I got it for a dear friend of mine who lost her son 7 months ago. No body knows what anybody feels- God knows I can not say to Her I know how you feel- I can not say to Her I know your suffering- I can not say to Her move on - get past it!!!! CAN'T -- WON'T. But The Oak Tree doesn't say any of those things either.
It's perfect because it says- THE MOST ESSENTIAL OF ALL - IT REMINDS US. There is no greater way to help -heal- comfort-or support another human being than to REMIND them of THEMSELVES - Their greater attributes -beauty -strength-endurance- and yes if you relate the 2 -that of ROOTS-and that of PURPOSE. To know where you come from -what your made of and that YOU DO HAVE A PURPOSE and that PURPOSE is what sparked those ROOTS to grow in the first place-- Oh yes- This is a LOVELY POEM
I will display it- refer to it- and gift it to anyone who needs reminding-INCLUDING MYSELF.
)O(
These beautiful, comforting words have been an inspiration to me and all those who I have passed them along to. When the storms of life are raging I remind myself that the Scripture says that; "A man (person) who meditates on The Word of God is like a tree planted by the rivers of water; brings forth fruit in his season; his leaf does not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper!" (Psalm 1:1) So when I think of an Oak Tree, I think of the Promises of the ONE who made it!
The author is giving a double life to the Oak-Tree:in the lifetime and beyond our life.If you want to grasp the meaning of pride look at an oak tree,how it stands ,how it contemplates and how it saves lis History .If you want to write smtg listen to the ever-eye-witness of all eras...
AL MUSTAFA
My daughter broke both her legs in a head on auto collision with a drunk driver, she endured so much pain and showed so much strength, it amazed me. I saw this card and got it for her because she needed to know how special, brave and strong she was. I loved it so much, I bought another and keep it in my drawer. It inspires me and I would love to be able to find a cross stitch kit with an oak tree and add this poem to it as well. I think it would be a wonderful gift for her. She is much better now, still has some pain and will for the rest of her life but she is alive, beautiful, thriving and never complains. Such strength and beauty, like the mighty oak.
I absolutely love this poem! I have a photo of an old oak tree that grew at the edge of my parents yard when I was growing up. They are both deceased now and I am doing a mini book about their love story. Would love to include this poem along with the photo of the old oak tree. Could anyone tell me if I need permission or is it in the public domain? If I need permission, could you tell me who I might contact. I have been unable to find any contact info on the author. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I am fixin' to turn 60 next week and I sit & reflect on all of my mistakes, pain, failures and accomplishments.
I married a man that turned into a drunken wife beater/rapist when I was 17. I finally Ran away & divorced 10 years & 3 kids later! With no help whatsoever from anyone I became à single mom raising 3 kids on my own, from the time they were toddlers. They are now all happily married, own very successful businesses and have blessed me with 5 grandbabies. My life has been filled with a lot of pain. I endured extreme physical, verbal, mental,sexual & emotional abuse the first 25 years of my life. Including multiple rape & extreme molestation as a child. I thought I saved my baby sister from his hands only to find out that I never saved her at all. He continued to torture her til She finally found a way out, she committed suicide when her youngest was 17! I still struggle thinking it was my fault. I should have done more.
I lived through a devastating car accident that broke my neck,back, hip, shoulder and wrist when I was 30. My house burned to the ground a year later. My baby brother whom I raised was diagnosed with AIDS a year later & died in my arms 2 years after my sisters suicide. 2 years ago I was in a collision with a 1500 pound moose...my forehead and his jowel met thru the windshield. I broke wires in my neck, broke the other side hip, shoulder & took out the rest of my back leaving me 75% in a wheelchair!!
Just when I thought I was doomed to a life of misery, A man who is the most loving caring compassionate person I have ever known, walked into my life! He made me realize GOD DID have a plan for me. I was here for a reason and that I was the strongest woman he had ever known. We celebrated 22 years together yesterday and we celebrate 4 years of marriage tomorrow.
This poem hits home for me!! I am strong!! I can be happy & my roots run deep and undying.
Thank you for the idea of needlepointing an oak tree & framing it with this, It gives me strength, hope & faith to see that my leaves may shed but with water and sunshine I we I'll continue to flourish!! GOD BLESS YOU!!
I am the author of this poem you can email me at emanon187@gmail.com
Amen! I hope you are cancer free & enjoying life as a mother. Praying for you Rebecca!
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