One Thoughtful March Morning

Along the avenue, awake
To the tall, strong old wood.
Wise in the bright wonder of dawn,
I walked with her.

I miss the pleasures endowed by your smiles,
Faint now in the clay pain of a memory
As another clump of mistletoe
Grows in glory spherical upon a twisted apple bough.

New beauty in ancient form,
Daffodil bright in this tepid haze
Brings me again to Love;
Eternal youth smiling at a tainted, withered man.

My dear poplar companions-
Faithful to my end, hardly changing, locked
To cyclic seasons’  quest,
I bow to your spired, quiet wisdom.

In the grey sag of my painful limp,
Unworthy for her I felt-
And felt the same impulse of youth,
Unchanged by life’s casual decline.

Inside a yearning synchronised
With young joy; immortal smile.
Crimpled skin supports long dying,
Crying into a dreamed of coffin’s womb.

Love, you were always here;
Sometimes hidden, often present,
Never aging but forever young;
Alive in light for all living.