I wish I had what that small tree has.

It pushed its way between the floor boards

of our porch and reached for the sun.

We admired its pluck, but after a while

we reluctantly chopped it down,

making it level with the porch floor.

This morning when I stepped outside

tiny sprigs of green were growing

from its leveled trunk.  I don’t know when or if 

we’ll have the resolve to crawl beneath the porch

and remove it, but for now it’s a living reminder

that with persistence you can break through

even a boarded ceiling.

                                                                        JDG