Awestruck

long before
the rise and fall
of the empire,
standing tall

alone among
far younger trees
a yellow cedar
in the breeze

gives pause for thought
with mind in awe
twelve hundred years
or maybe more

on the mountain
where it grows
patiently,
it something knows

we're like insects,
mushroom spores,
growing quickly
waging wars

while the ancient one
survives
seeming peaceful
and so wise