Earth Song

Harken now

as the westerly wind softly intones a low

mournful dirge.

While the reeds at the water’s edge

pick up the sad refrains

and over them

they transpose their quavering

illusionary measures.

Broken up occasionally by a discordant sigh.

The birds passing by

pause a moment

as they listen crestfallen

to the slow, sorrowful lament.

Which they keep time to

with a dull thrumming of the wings.

And a sweet blending-over

of fading trills.

Which becomes barely perceptible

amidst the echo-booms

of the loud thundercloud drums.

And the intermittent tinkling sound

of the raindrops.

As they pelt the leaves

on the musical tree of magic colors.

Which having once danced

and enjoyed life and freedom so much

now stands condemned.

Hopelessly rooted

to this one solitary spot.

And so it droops over now

with dampened spirits.

As it beholds the birds,

the wind, the reeds

and all the other players

in this lonely cheerless pastoral.

Trying to recall a time

when it didn’t once glance backwards

and think of things precious

that were

but are no more.

While the grey, somber sky

conductor

of this orchestrated

remembrance

soothes

their saddened spirits

by serenading them

with a melodious rainbow.

Which heralds

the promise of a new day.

When all of nature

will once again

sing in tune.