She-Oak.(Poem)

 
SHE-OAK 
 
   even quarter-sawn 
   like a sliced Queen 
   Victoria cake the Casuarina 
   lacks the grain 
   of English oak 
   the dressed shine 
   of officers in uniform 
 
   but seasoned the unruly timber 
   can add lustre 
   and turned as a walking stick 
   decorate a gentleman's style 
 
   the hard wood is prized 
   as a fence post or tool handle 
   and burned hot 
   produces a pure white 
   ash ideal for sheet whitening 
 ...