For 8th annual Michael E. DeBakey Medical Student Poetry Contest, due 12/31

Title: Sway... Sway... The American Way

Like the Willow branches in Staten Island, NY,
we sway with the wind,
we sway with the flow.

Like the fine Pine needles in Ice Glen, MA,
we withstand the cold,
we withstand the darkness.

Like the Bald Cypress roots in Prince Frederick, MD,  

we're cloaked with mud,

we're cloaked without rotting.

Like the Giant Sequoia trunk in Sierraville, CA,

we halt hungry predators from devouring us,

we halt harm from crumbling us.

Like the Sycamore Maple leaves in Maple Park, IL, 

we work ceaselessly until we fall,
we work charitably until we decompose.

Like the trees of America,
we are tough and tugged,
we are tied together in one tuft.

Like the Willow branches in Staten Island, NY,

we sway with the wind,

we sway with the flow.

Sway... sway... the American way.