Gnarled Witness

A while ago I decided one fine morn, not to take the usual road
It was an auspicious day of my native New Year, calendar showed
My work didnt interest me as it used to do several lives earlier
So I jumped at the excuse to do something unusual, a bit unfamiliar

I decided to take a left turn instead of the usual right at the cross
And pointed my car towards the distant hills lying under sun's gloss
There was a canyon splitting the hills lying behind my little home
And today I headed through the gash to discover that beyond the dome

My destination was a winding trail high in the hilly ranges of Sunol
I had been there a few times earlier, with people who loved me before
Now I was there again but alone, and I walked a new trail quite untrod
My steps were certain but goal was unknown, whatever Fate brought

I soon came across a tree, old and laden, heavy with life and drooping
Deciding to rest a while I sat at its feet, listening to birds chirping
I had seen this tree earlier, when I was accompanied by beauty's symbol
It was then and now a witness to love, life, and death's final cymbal