Termites that crawl and eat wood

In a forest full of trees

A singular one stands above the rest

Though its bark is holey

And its sap is sweet

Its height and infection make it outstanding for what happens

A thunderstorm approaches the forest

All animals seek their coverage for what is about to happen

The thunder rolls

The lightning strikes

The trees shudder with the wind

The tallest tree with no branches

Ate by the termites

The tree did not shudder or sway

The lightning hit the top and traveled down to the ground in an instant

The light lit the bark and showed every termite crawl space

The electricity surged through the dry tree and it exploded in sparks and fire

The trunk that remains

Still potmarked by termite hole

Shines black and golden from the storm that night.