I wish I had the strength of a tree
to be able to stand straight and
proud for years and years

I wish I could stand in the fierce winds
of love and loss
and never falter

I wish I had a bark that would protect me
from pain and sorrow
never letting me fall
into a hole of despair

I wish I had branches to protect the ones
I love from the cruelty of the world

I wish I had the strength to take a beating
from words
and fists
and not fight back

I wish I had the strength to hold the weight of the world
on my shoulders
and not stumble or fall

I wish I had the strength of a tree
cause in the end
don’t we all

Anna Teresse Biddle is 13 years old and goes to Hopewell Junior High in West Chester, OH. Her favorite colors are green and orange. My favorite activities include taking long walks with her puppy, Ace, reading, writing, history, cooking, and hanging out with her sisters. One year ago, on March 12th, 2014, her older brother died of brain cancer.