THE ANGUISH OF IT ALL

A tree stood tall in the forest,

storms came through,
breaking small limbs,
tossing leaves and brittle nests,

yet the tree held fast,

years passed,

it continued to offer safe haven
for birds, nourishment for the soil,
shade for the forest ferns,
ever growing, ever giving,

it didn’t know it would fall,

Alex Pretti spent his life growing
into his humanity,
nursing others to health,
providing strength through his words,
example through his actions,

even when the world was bleak,
even then leaning in
while others turned away,

he bent but didn’t break,

he didn’t know he would fall
when he was there to be strong
against a torrent of misery in his city,

Woe the anguish of it all
for one who stood so tall.