The Main Road

the oaks are growing on the main street

for more than twenty years

notably in the beginning

each one of them weak at his root

was replaced

 

other children were born

they also became parents

people began to forget

some other earthquake

some other falling star

the street cars amount

the bygone tram shape

marked even today with the same number

 

the oaks grew too slowly

sunlight still burns on the pavement

 

God only knows

why a lone birch

remained without its crown

in my backyard

leaves are falling heavy

like a dying old man’s tears

in his last cup with water

 

the oaks still on their feet

are growing without hurry

maybe beyond walls

beyond the times when housewives

will still be dusting off

over the main street