As the bark on a tree constantly grows, 

it gets taken off.

Soaked by the rain,

hit by the wind,

burned by the fire,

it continues to thrive.

As the bark on a tree constantly grows,

the squirrels rip at it.

The woodpeckers bore holes in it.

The bugs live in it.

It continues to thrive.

As the bark on a tree constantly grows, 

kids hit it with sticks.

Cars run into it.

Saws cut it down.

It continues to thrive.

Why would it thrive?

How can something thrive after being broken,

hurt, 

disrespected, 

and forgotten?

As the bark on a tree constantly grows, 

so does its heart. 

It’s hard and rough on the outside,                           

but detailed,

and filled with knowledge on the inside. 

It continues to thrive.

The tree has adapted.

It has failed,

but it has also succeeded.

What makes the difference?

The tree helps others.

It continues to thrive.

As the bark on a tree constantly grows,

it is a landmark, 

it is a home, 

it is a toy, 

it is an obstacle,

it is a heat source.

It is growing.

By doing all this and more,

it continues to thrive.

Resilient in the pain,

the hurt, 

and the destruction,

the tree won’t stop.

It will keep going,

and keep growing.