The Trees by the Road
Behind a broken backyard wall,
In the rustling leaves
A child retrieves
Pictures of an autumn noon;
Mother Nature’s toy,
Mother’s cuddled boy,
Travels the road
To his blinding mirage;
Steps on a toad,
Kicks a goat,
Hears a skylark chirp
And a beggar burp,
Frowns at the sun
And walks on
Till comes the afternoon gale,
The clouds assail
The dancing trees;
A swarm of bees
Seem to call him
Up to the sky;
A heavy downpour,
The clouds’ uproar,
All sound through
The fogged window;
A sudden sunset glow
Reveals the scarlet sky,
The child waves high
As darkness descends
Upon the trees by the road;
The tireless soul,
Bereft of joy,
Tries to stay
Up in wait
Of the rising sun,
Of a sparrow’s voice;
To smell the smoke
Of the burning leaves;
The morning dew
His thoughts pursue
As he drifts into sleep,
In love with life,
More than ever
Like never before.
