And now, this twenty-first century evening,
this very moment’s pause, huddles the houses,
their occupants on sofas, and out here -
out here, the adoration of the trees.
Just out of focus to the modern eye,
more difficult as twilight deepens, backdrop
to parked cars and the interminable roads,
their retreat is at hand, you have only to look.
You have only to approach, and who you are,
that moment in your life, the tree takes over,
trunk and branches are yours in their complexity;
leaves, turning keys to the most secret places.
Until you can no longer bear the peace
against whose entry like flaming swords rise thoughts
practical; the trees blanked in night’s oblivion,
there; and in second draught, are there to stay.
