Robert Burnell Krug Poetry

I’m a strong tree with 50 rings reflecting the years of my life.

50 springs and 50 falls,

50 summers and 50 winters,

enduring the harsh winds and temperatures that mother-nature bestows on me.

And, I have enjoyed the warmth of the sun and the bounty of her rainfall.


It is fall now, and I have prepared my buds for the winter ahead.

I have covered their tenderness with my strength and my endurance.

I will be successful in protecting their beauty and innocence.

I must, for my heart could never bear to loose even one.


Though I’m concerned for the winter ahead, I’m also confident in myself,

I’m confident that my buds will remain closed and within my protective boundaries.

They will cling close because they are afraid of their new world, filled with uncertainties.

They trust me.

They are deeply motivated to obey my instructions, because they know that I love them and care for them with every part of my being.


They cling closer to me as the winter progresses, and I hold them in my warmth and love them more.

I’m a strong tree with 50 rings reflecting the years of my life.

The winter draws nearer, and I am ready.

Ready to feed, ready to nurture.

Ready to hold them close until the arrival of the warmth of spring.

Then, I will release them into the world with full readying to survive, develop and grow their seeds beneath my shade.

And they will someday love theirs, as I love them.

Poet: Robert Burnell Krug