Old decrepit cabbage tree 
there in my garden foreshore.
 Spoiling view, or thing of beauty.
I'm really not so sure?
Some say its past its best, 
cut it down, can't you see?
I fondly look at my cabbage tree and say, 
just let it be.
Last winter, and the one before,
a branch lost its leaves and died.
Oh my cabbage tree please don't give up, 
you are my mate I cried.
Its winter time,  again it faces 
 salt laden polar blast.
Isolated and alone it stands, 
waits for spring to come at last.
Spring came, from hidden strength stored up, 
my cabbage tree
joins in nature as new life comes forth. 
Amazing flowers for all to see.
Those dead old branches from winter, 
and the one before, still there.
Special to my old  cabbage tree, twisted branches, 
so stark and bare.
Summer comes and some would say my cabbage flowers 
point the way.
Tell us what lies ahead. How dry future summer will be. 
They do say.
My cabbage tree has no such fear
  bright shimmering green leaves now come out.
New branches on which pussy climbs, and birds enjoy, 
and  play about.
Autumn comes, my cabbage tree seems satisfied, 
at its peaceful best.
Quietly unnoticed by passing world it now 
prepares for winter test.
The symmetry and beauty of my old cabbage tree 
too easy just to miss.
Can only be understood and felt by those closest, 
like a lovers kiss.
As I gaze out past cabbage tree and admire seascapes 
changing mood.
It is my cabbage tree I keep coming back to, 
that others have just pu-hooed.
Dear old cabbage tree if you could talk 
I would ask you how and why?
Winters blast did nearly kill 
part of you did suffer, and did die. 
Why does that dead part still cling to you 
so much later I must ask?
Reminding of your defeat in winter woes
 as you struggled with the task.
Drop those dead branches that serve no purpose? 
And do not look that smart.
Though  I often admire them, silhouetted there.
Somehow they do look the part?
There amongst fresh new growth
when are you going to let them go?
A failure for all the world to see.
Your vulnerability,  does it need to show?
Beautiful flowers and lush green leaves
we all like to see.
Not sure want to be reminded of
obvious failures in me.
Yet it is true that things of beauty
we most love and admire.
Often have major blemishes, that add to
somehow to inspire.
And so it is my old cabbage tree 
is a picture of beauty to me .
Reminds me people still admire  though, 
failures so obvious  to see
Some hopes dead, battered and bruised,
yes sometimes feeling forlorn.
yet survived each test life threw up
Victorious over winter storm
by Asaw Miller