The Old Man of the Forest stood once,

Withered, gnarled, and hunched over,

As Powhatans gathered 'round,

Hunting in the clover.

 

The Old Man of the Forest stood once,

Ancient limbs reaching out,

As colonists began to fight the king,

"Independence!"  he heard them shout.

 

The Old Man of the Forest stood once,

Shading a bloody man in grey,

Muttering about those "Damn Yankees"

As he slowly limped away.

 

The Old Man of the Forest stood once,

Leaves sprinkled with golden brown,

While people were targeted,

For skin color in their town.

 

The Old Man of the Forest stood once,

As meadows deer did peruse,

And all across the country,

Same-sex couples said I-dos.

 

The Old Man of the Forest stood once,

But he does not any more,

For where they put the mall,

The forest had stood before.