Swing Bench (a poem)

Sometimes I think of my soul as though it were a tree
Standing tall, reaching for the sun
The sun rises, the sun sets
Each day is the same
But then you came along, my gardener
You trimmed the parts that were too heavy to hold
You made adjustments to make me grow stronger
You set a foundation around my trunk
To keep me upright and strong
You made it beautiful with flowers and a pond full of koi
You placed a swing bench near by
Where you could sit and admire your work
When you are gone, I still grow strong toward the sun
But I miss giving you shade while you read under me
The days pass and it feels like a never ending winter
You will come back, as sure as the sun, with its warmth
You’ll once again shape me to grow better and stronger