Rings of Oak

 

Along my walk there is an oak

 

Grown sturdy on the edge of winds

 

Life’s hardships fought and won

 

Whose sole and noble bearing

 

Engenders shared sojourn

 

 

Its ridge it strides alone

 

And I, in passing, catch its thought

 

Like a point on a seen, sawn, levelled trunk

 

Though yearly ring is far too long

 

For these few moments shared

 

 

But not this time, this round, this heart

 

Green canopy hiss: share this with me

 

Here, now, brief, unwitnessed

 

And be with ancient one in present time

 

Whose walk is only sidewards growth

 

 

Upon my eyes and mind

 

This rustling note is written, sung

 

Upon his rings of time he adds

 

A passing molecule of now, a mote

 

Upon the meadow there is only silence

 

 

Enjoy your walk around my Earth, he says

 

‘Around’ arrests: his sly intent, and turning

 

Gaze deep at wooden ark, as no voice, teasing

 

Says: and I, content to wait your arc’s return

 

Will travel further round the Sun

 

 

©Stephen Tanham

 

4 Comments on “Rings of Oak

  1. Pingback: Rings of Oak – Steve Tanham | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

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