The following is a poem written by Carol Owsley Howell, remembering Toomer's Oaks after their removal.
Stand Strong by the Gates
From two acorn seeds you both grew
Reaching, stretching, covering
Witnessing tragedies and losses
Victories & Celebrations
Felt the growing warmth of the sun
The cold of ice
Rain and wind
Creatures of all manners have climbed your branches
And called you Home
Shading Lovers and friends
Shadowing and revealing sworn enemies
But yet you both
STOOD
As
Sentinel Guards
&
Protective Parents
Planted in your rightful place
By the Gates encompassing
Your Auburn Family
Your final days living in your burial shroud
Now as the day is here
I watch your destruction and removal
In Silence……..
Reverence, Sadness, Disgust
Reminding me, once again,
All Tangible Possessions
Of this earth
WILL
Decay
And be
NO More
Stewards of Earth
Liken this to your
Mind, body, soul
When the elements of this world
Blow----- beat-----hate you
Will you be poisoned with
Greed, mistrust and sheer lunacy?
If you succumb to poison
You will be cut off----limb by limb
Cut up----hauled away
Never to be whole and complete
For the purpose you were created
Exposing loved one to emptiness
Stand Strong by the gates of your
Mind, body & soul
Continue to reach your limbs
Toward Thee Son
Not for yourself
But
For those who
Follow
We Are
His
Living Legacy
------------
Carol Owsley Howell
Auburn University
Class of 1989
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