Beeches
What feat of evolution
makes them hold tightly so?
Unyielding leaves,
shielding sheaves,
loathe of letting go.
Those leaves,
are they departed?
Are they dead,
or stoutly-hearted?
What provokes them
to remain?
Through frigid snow
and freezing rain.
Why did nature
give such a choice?
Soliloquy
in the forest voice.
Leaves in the breeze
are crinkling crisper.
Share their riddles
in icy whisper.
Those ochre ghosts,
when did they fall?
In the noise of Spring
didn't notice at all.