Justin Lee 2B/07

Bleached white branches of an old dead tree,
Still clawing at the sky, still looking up high
Still mocking death, still trying to be.

The pale flaked skin of a tired old man,
Still fighting off the grave,
Still trying to live, still trying to stand with the help from a friend.

Bones and Skin; the tree and the man,
Both of them, and all of us,
Still clinging to life, still gripping my hand.

Epilogue:

This old bonsai tree is being compared to an old man, who is hanging on to that last bit of life in which he is being given much support by his close friend before death would finally conquer him. The bleached trunk of this bonsai tree was the muse of this simple poem.

Ultimately, what a man needs is a Friend. A Friend who is there for you when you need him at your most. Only Nature could bring us a friend like that. Nature never goes away, it remains where it is all the time. Be it rain or shine, Nature will always be there.

Hence, When i saw that this bleached and flaking tree, all i could think of was to give back when Nature has gave to me - a friend.

As illustrated in the picture, my palm is wrapped around the trunk of the tree, giving it support and that little glimpse of hope for the aged and dying bonsai tree to live on.

Be it supporting it for an extra minute, or even an extra second, at least i can tell myself "Hey, I did what I could for a friend and I did it with the best ability that i was able to.''

I believe that friends and family are the driving force that keeps you moving in life. Without them, I would be nothing.

Given the opportunity now, I would like to thank all my friends and Mother Nature who have been there for me and I would like to say that I will be there for all of you guys too, now and always.