Ancient Oak

I have submitted my collection of drabbles and poems to Amazon today in preparation fo the kindle release, which will probably happen tomorrow from the look of it. The paperback version will be slightly behind as I've yet to see the printed copy to give it the final ok.

Here is one of the poems from the book for you, to whet your appetite...

Ancient Oak

As the leaf falls on the autumnal wind,
It measures the passage of a moment.
And yet within the same gesture,
The mourning of the year is acclaimed.
With each deep breath within the wood,
The tree measures another day.
And with each season’s passing,
Its girth widens with the rings of ages.
Each year, another line,
Another circle, in the memory of the majestic Oak.
It’s cambium wrinkling with each year,
As it watches the passing of time.
And seasons come and go in a blink,
And the boy grows to man and ages on.
An old man stoops caressing the bark,
Remembering his boyhood play.
Generations fall at the feet of the great beast,
Feeding its roots as the sun feeds its leaves.
So the young sapling stretches to the sky,
Claiming dominance in the garden.
Standing here, I embrace you,
Clutching your weathered skin.
Gaining strength from your quiet confidence,
And solace from the turmoil of a man’s life.
For you seem as oblivious to my strife,
As I would be to the hurried comings and goings of the blue tit,
And yet your awareness is so much greater than mine,
And you bring me back to earth.