East winds blow
from desert plane
Over rocky lips in surge
Creating crests of white
Distortions in the river of life
Fingers of cold
Pursue pockets warm
Reaching ever west to arms extent
Gust and howl
Test branch and root
Crowns bent low
Weakened trunks of strength
What remains when teeth restrain
Stalwart spines who's roots run deep
Sheltered outposts of retreat
In challenge our resolve does grow
Rest, replenish and repair
Better equipped to defeat despair
And on the day when Kingdom shines
Before our Maker
Stand we refined
The race is run
Our place defined
By Dean Mackeson
