Poem
Paul Henry
THREE TREES
THREE TREES
THREE TREES
for J, J & II planted three trees, for privacy
and for feeling near to the soil.
Three ferns, two a fairer shade
of green, the middle one a clone
of my father’s dark spire.
(One Spring, he swapped his violin
for a spade).
I planted three trees.
Leisurely climbers, I loved them,
suddenly taller when I turned
to look at them again.
Perhaps I planted them too close.
The wind blows in from the sea
and they seem to conspire
against me.
I planted three trees.
It snows. Sand hurries
through the kitchen’s hourglass.
I am nearer the soil
than ever I intended to be.
Above me
three, fern-haired men
point to the cold stars,
all is silence, but for a spade
played out of key.
© 2004, Paul Henry
From: Poetry Review 94:3
From: Poetry Review 94:3
Paul Henry
(United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 1959)
Paul Henry is the author of ten books of verse, including
The Brittle Sea: New & Selected Poems, Boy Running and Ingrid’s Husband.
The Brittle Sea: New & Selected Poems, Boy Running and Ingrid’s Husband.
Originally a songwriter, he’s performed his poems and songs at festivals in Europe, Asia and the USA. Henry is a popular Creative Writing tutor and has guest-edited Poetry Wales. He’s presented arts programmes for BBC Radio Wales, Radio 3 and Radio 4. Described b...
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THREE TREES
for J, J & II planted three trees, for privacy
and for feeling near to the soil.
Three ferns, two a fairer shade
of green, the middle one a clone
of my father’s dark spire.
(One Spring, he swapped his violin
for a spade).
I planted three trees.
Leisurely climbers, I loved them,
suddenly taller when I turned
to look at them again.
Perhaps I planted them too close.
The wind blows in from the sea
and they seem to conspire
against me.
I planted three trees.
It snows. Sand hurries
through the kitchen’s hourglass.
I am nearer the soil
than ever I intended to be.
Above me
three, fern-haired men
point to the cold stars,
all is silence, but for a spade
played out of key.
From: Poetry Review 94:3
THREE TREES
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