peaceful sentinel

noise and hurry like a distant hum
disturbs the peaceful grove
traffic below on busy streets
echoes of jet engines above
insistent carnival music winds up
ice cream truck peddling its wares
yet the tree is unmoved
except by the wind

over the months and years vandals came
leaving their mark in hieroglyphic paint
human attempts to cheat anonymity
scribbling something that can last
beyond their futile breath
ironic mortal strokes on living bark
yet the tree is unmoved
respecting only Immortal Hands

for a moment the world goes still
turning right-side up in peace
the tree reminding frantic creatures
that grasping and striving come to naught
eternity is close at hand, available
through no mere human effort
see the tree unmoved
honouring simply its Maker