The Tree of Life By Abhishek P. Grade 9 There they come, in skirt and stripe Giggling in black and blue, They wonder if the time is ripe, And hope that the fruit is too. The bell has rung, and now is the chance To have from the tree their lunch. And when they see, with joy they prance. Red with juice are many a bunch! To make the berries feel the earth, Up go the sticks and stones! Some of success have no dearth, And from some escape piteous moans This tree even seems like life. Reaching out with their heart and soul These youths must face so much strife, To strike their elusive goal. Some succeed, and achieve their aims Some must continue their quest Hidden into these childhood games, Do life’s truths calmly rest Maybe in a couple of years, They will come to love And understand their smiles and tears, To reach for the stars above Some may forage for fallen fruits. Some may touch an untouched bough But their future truly finds its roots In the tender shoots of now So off they go, skipping down the road There pockets with no space left free And maybe some day, they'll find a load Of the fruits of life’s evergreen tree.