Tree Rings

This is an old college writing exercise describing a common object that was in sight.

My leaves reach up
  soaking in knowledge
    eternally patient
      growing

              skin thick as bark
                become stronger each year
                  protection from harsh reality
              allowing me to dream

            my roots burrow deep
        searching, crushing, spreading
      finding hidden meaning behind spoken words
    my hidden desires
never to be seen by daylight