Standing Tree

By  Elon Li

On top of the hill, the tree stands tall,

All by itself as night starts to fall.

Its branches twist, worn by time,

Facing strong winds and rain that climb.

The sky behind is red and bright,

With gold and pink in the fading light.

The sun goes down, its warmth is gone,

Shadows stretch as night moves on.

The tree stands strong, though still and quiet,

Its branches tell stories of struggle and fight—

Through storms and heat, it stays in place,

Holding the ground, not losing the race.

If it could speak, what would it say?

Of all it’s seen from day to day?

Years go by, but it remains,

Watching us as our lives change.

Now darkness falls, the colors flee,

But on the hill, still stands the tree.

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Biography

Hi! My name is Elon (Kaixuan) Li, and I’m a sophomore at American Heritage. When I’m not in school, I spend most of my time playing tennis, diving into a good book, or hanging out with my friends. Tennis keeps me active and competitive, while reading allows me to explore new ideas and perspectives. I also love spending time with my friends, whether we’re trying out new places, playing games, or just relaxing. In school, you’ll often find me in the computer science classroom or the robotics lab, where I enjoy working on coding projects, problem-solving, and building cool things with my team. I’m passionate about technology and innovation, and I love the challenge of bringing ideas to life through programming and engineering.

What motivated you to write this piece?

I wanted to capture the tree’s quiet strength and the way it silently witnesses the world around it. The shifting colors of the sky, the coming of night, and the sense of endurance all inspired me to express these themes through poetry.

Why did you choose to submit this category(s) of artwork/writing out of the many available category options?

I chose an ekphrastic poem because I enjoy translating visual art into words. Poetry allows for a deep emotional connection, bringing the image to life in a way that goes beyond mere description. It lets the reader not only see the scene but also feel its essence.