Where parent trees once stood, a century past, Where sharp-edged steel claimed our forest's prize, From ravaged earth, a novel growth, holds fast. Red cedar rises to rain-gray skies. No single shaft, ordained by ancient seed, Clustered stems ascend in verdant throng, A team of trunks from dead-fall freed To branch and flourish where the felled stood strong. Each trunk too small to mill for wood, Each swaying branch bemoans the vanished might. This new grove in shadowed grace has stood, Drawing strength from the returning light; Life reborn from loss and greed-soaked years, In fractured form, a vital strength appears.