for now cascading branches greet the sun
whose kind embrace grows weaker by each day
with courage leaves like artists on trapeze
cling fast to brushwood tendrils as they sway
soon greenery will tire of this dance
as creeping gold replaces verdant hues
the splendour of the change the season brings
a wealth to match a velvet sky of blue
such elegance on show for all to see
short-lived before the jealous wind takes rage
to steal the foliage left upon our birch
ensuring all remains an empty stage
yet even in its naked form to me
this tree surpasses all in dignity