Winter Oak

The oak tree traditionally symbolises strength and courage which is why the learners' forum originally chose it as their membership sign. They selected it after considering the importance of learning for personal growth and happiness, and because from little acorns grow...

We like this poem because it's all about growth and self belief that and thought that it summed up most of our group quite well.

The Oak Tree

A mighty wind blew night and day

It stole the oak tree's leaves away

Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark

Until the oak was tired and stark



But still the oak tree held its ground

While other trees fell all around

The weary wind gave up and spoke.

How can you still be standing Oak?



The oak tree said, I know that you

Can break each branch of mine in two

Carry every leaf away

Shake my limbs, and make me sway



But I have roots stretched in the earth

Growing stronger since my birth

You'll never touch them, for you see

They are the deepest part of me



Until today, I wasn't sure

Of just how much I could endure

But now I've found, with thanks to you

I'm stronger than I ever knew

by Johnny Ray Rider Jr