The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-09
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The Fallen Oak
BY PHIL H. ARMSTRONG.

 A thousand years I've stood among my comrades like king.
 I've helped to guard the forest from the white mans searching eye; Toward the great Creator my long arms I'd upward fling
 To warn my friend, the red ufan, of the great Chief in the sky. I've watched the march of eenturies- the seasons come and go, The sweet soft spring with violets. the summer warm and bright, The melancholy autumn. with leaves blown to and fro.
 The naked snow-k kissed winter. whose rude winds the roses blight: I've felt the langurous caress of zeph- I've heard the % mournfuI soobing of the night wind. wild and strong I've heard the murm' ring brVok with its old story incomplete, Trying to reveal to man the burden I've heard the great White God Man speak from out some vast black And seen His sword flash fire through the heavens in the night. I have heard His voice in anger shake the skies; twas strong and loud, And the whole earth, lashed with fury. seemed to tremble at Ills might. .... have heard the lone wolf bowling, sadly bowling for his mate. have watched the cunning panther creeping slowly from her lair. I have seen the sad-eyed doe bend down to drink. and, trembling walt
 To hear the awful roar of the lion crouching there. I have seen a thousand tragedies here on some lone. wild trail: The battles of the beast kings tear ing out each others lives; Their awful screams of terror like a lost souls spirit wall.
 Their bleeding throats a-gaping. torn hxrf n- e knIVPG II have seen the noble red man pause to rest beneath my shade, And my mighty sheltering arms around him l have often thrown great man unafraid ~* To roam the painless forest, empty handed and alone.
 But l never dreamed. as proudly my huge form I reared to rent The beauteous arching heavens where the screaming eagle flew Upon his tireless circle through the vast blue Armament,
 That I at last should fall, o white men, by the hand of you! While your great at-grandfather's father was a mere babe. l was old, Ye weddings, -pygmles, bastards or once proud, manly race To think that l. who've seen thousand lengthy years unfold, Should here lie prone and dying meath the scorn of white man E face! Your cruel, cold, steel dragon with lts million teeth. has gnawed @~ Into my strong white body, and my warm sap dyes the ground The er-ceasing biting of your axes keen has awCd My very soul to feel that soon would fall fainttins down. At last I've fallen!
 Here upon the cold moist earth l lie see the startled rabbit bounding o'eI the bushes tall,
 see the screaming eagle slowly cir cling through the sky, And hear the wood dove cooing to her mate with plaintive call, But nevermore I'll hear the lang'rous zephyrs whisper low, Nor watch the changing seasons, nor my wild friends roaming free; No more I'll see the pale moon as she used to come and go Behind some cloudlet playing hide and seek at night with me. An, no-the warm life sap within mo now is growing cold; I feel that death is near me aTNl my leaves are with ring fast. l wonder if up wonder where man never can grow old, The Oak will be transplanted to bloom forth again at last!