Normally at six in the morning I would be running around lake Bonny Park and only focusing on pushing myself to have a better run time for the Army physical fitness test. Or I would be there sometimes on Wednesdays to do my ROTC leadership lab. This was not the case however. This time I was actually able to just sit down and enjoy what nature had to offer at that park. The first observations were on foot with Rachel as we glanced at many different wild flower species. Nevertheless the dock that is there led only to a disappointment for many of the shrubs and shore plants were either dead and dying or they were a luscious green. But the lake itself had no attraction to my eyes for there was a ski ramp for boaters in the middle and that just turned my interest off for that part of the park. However both Rachel and I continued down the trail and passed by many interesting trees that were aligned perfectly in parallel rows to the left of the trail. We then proceeded to walk amongst those rows of trees right down the middle. It was as if we were experiencing the scene from the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian movie where the character Lucy walked through parallel trees in order to get to Aslan. It was quiet in there amongst the trees and very serene. As we continued down the path beyond those trees we spotted several birds and their nests. Many species of birds were present in that park. For example the Ospreys, Mallard ducks, Mocking birds, and Blue Jays. Besides the birds we even saw a rather large alligator with her babies swimming near the waters edge. Nevertheless throughout the entire trip it was very windy but this only added to the experience in a positive way. To be honest I never would have come up with my poem if not for the wind that day for I noticed that some trees such as the pine trees bent easily in whatever direction the wind was blowing, but the oaks were steadfast and immovable. Overall the trip was really worth the effort of going and I have decided to go there again just to go and enjoy the park for the sake of enjoyment from nature.

The Oak That Stood Alone

Amongst this family of towering giants,

I stand on the outer edge.

The others are not defiant;

I am.

They lean and bend with whatever comes;

I stand still and firm.

They are forever green all year long;

I become bare and naked.

They are slender and easily fallen;

I am thick and steadfast.

They bare their young in cones;

I have mine in acorns.

Their arms spread up more than out;

I spread mine out more than up.

Their legs do not run deep;

I have legs that run through the ages of time.

They are wanted by man kind;

I am not.

They stand in rows upon rows;

I stand alone.

"I went to lake Bonny Park for this assignment and I stayed there for at least 40 minuets."