Winter's Rest

A bit of seasonal fun - I don't mean a word of it!

 

Winter’s Rest

 

 

 

Beneath the sere and ragged tat

The root life is secure;

Why then cannot the green remain

Retaining ground’s allure?

 

And why is it a salient fact

That all plants need their rest,

If in the larger scheme of things

They are to look their best?

 

See how the maple shines bright red,

The tree of heaven so gold.

Without the rest of winter’s night

They’d never make so bold.

 

All of the trees that take their ease,

Replenishing their roots.

Dig deeply into earth’s supply

To feed the new Spring’s shoots.

 

Consider though the conifer,

In sombre, dark tone dressed,

Then see, with me, the apple tree

With fruit and blossom, dressed.

 

No autumn? Then no spring I fear,

Then, I shall take my sleep

By resting well, and taking ease

My youthfulness I’ll keep.

 

Alas, if only it were so;

I slept the whole night through

Then someone said as I left bed,

“Glad I don’t look like you!”

 

But I am not a tree, you see

It isn’t quite the same.

As trees break into annual bud,

Man’s life flows down the drain.

 

 

                                        John L. Berry,   10^th February 2003

 

Author's Note

A simple form with a few double line rhymes to make it les 'tum-te-tum'

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

An interesting comparison, well thought out and worded. If the tree could write, I wonder if it would lament its stationary life? Would it want to yank those roots from the ground and walk over that hill? Thanks for sharing. Sam