an endurance test
this fickle month
chilly rain and
tempered sun
with spring in sight
winter lingers
not yet inclined
to set us free
the geese in turn
are far more hardy
and off they fly
to northern lands
and early bulbs
can wait no longer
their leaves now free
to break the soil
we humans though
exude impatience
our coats and boots
still at the door
born from seed
blessed by light
years of risk
left behind
so then a home
for bird and beast
a climbing gym
for raucous youth
for many years
it spreads its gifts
cleaning air
dropping food
decades hence
disease took hold
its mighty form
gray and bare
yet still a loft
for hawks and owls
until its trunk
began to fail
and now its wood
decays to earth
a source of food
for newborn trees
a celebration
as it were
a glass or two
a special day
future plans
were on the plate
fears expressed
suggestions made
but now it's clear
this was the end
too much said
yet not enough
so long away
now returned
familiar ground
but so much change
older structures
since replaced
cherished sites
lost in time
nostalgia now
with sadness mixed
a sense of loss
and some regret
for more than place
a sorrow builds
of human bonds
lost as well
