Though Lovely Is Her Memory

across the lea a north wind blows 

soon follows on soft swirling snow 

to cover where the grass grows green 

 

into the distance there alone 

and flanked between a wall of stone 

stooped low and  twisted leans a tree 

 

her branches bend her branches ache 

caked heavy burdened they will break 

or wait for warmth to set her free 

 

throughout the winter chill and bleak 

her aging limbs are weary weak 

and shiver in the biting cold 

 

long gone those russets gone the golds

the rustle of October bolds 

in skirts that danced in autumn breeze 

 

alas the verdant green of spring 

will not adorn her frame again 

nor will her blossom gently fall 

 

no living thing is built to last 

like us this tree was doomed to pass 

though lovely is her memory