In the heart of Sierra Leone, where stories are spun,
Stood a majestic cotton tree, basking in the sun.
Its towering branches reached for the heavens above,
A symbol of strength, resilience, and love.

But fate, with its whims, dealt an unexpected blow,
The cotton tree's mighty branches began to bow.
From its once-proud crown, a fracture did appear,
As if the weight of the world had become too severe.

With a mournful crack, the tree's top did descend,
Leaving only fragments of what once did transcend.
Broken and fallen, yet a poignant sight to behold,
The cotton tree's story, an irony untold.

For in the remnants that remain, a metaphor lies,
A reflection of life's complexities, under sunny skies.
The fallen top signifies the burdens we may bear,
The trials and tribulations that we bravely share.

But behold, amidst the broken branches and decay,
The roots stand firm, a symbol of hope's pure ray.
Embedded deep within the earth, they firmly clasp,
Anchoring the tree's legacy, the stories that will last.

And from these steadfast roots, new life does sprout,
Young, vibrant branches, reaching out and about.
They symbolize the children, the youths' sacred call,
The inheritors of the land, destined to stand tall.

For it is their hands that will shape tomorrow's fate,
Guided by wisdom, dreams, and a vision innate.
Their youthful spirits, a beacon of unwavering fire,
Igniting change, fueling progress, and quelling every desire.

The fallen cotton tree speaks of a future untold,
A tapestry of resilience, the young hearts unfold.
They'll nurture the land, with their boundless might,
Carrying the torch of progress, shining ever so bright.

So let us embrace this irony with open arms,
For in the fallen tree lies profound wisdom and charms.
A testament to the cyclical nature of life's story,
Where growth and renewal emerge from the glory.

Sierra Leone's cotton tree, fallen but not defeated,
Leads us to believe in the dreams yet to be completed.
With the young as the architects of a better morrow,
Together, they'll build a future that transcends sorrow.

In their hands lies the power to heal and to mend,
To forge a path forward, and bridges to extend.
With resilience and unity, they shall prevail,
Unfolding a future where hope shall never pale.

So let us honor the fallen, and hold the vision dear,
For the Sierra Leone cotton tree's story is clear.
In the irony of its fall, we find hope's embrace,
And the promise of a brighter future, guided by grace.

© IbrahimCleffy