GJM

The last lonely leaf 

Upon the tree with branches broke, cracked and knarled 

Shifts from green to red with yellow flashes

For the tegument of earth she’s bound

To mix again with her native soil

Where my seed grew so well

Through winter’s barrens brash, spring’s fragrant renewal,

And summer’s burning hell

The Autumn is the time of year

When the reaper is at his height

Shaving down the tawny Fields

With sharp and mighty scythe 

My branches own, with rough bark grey and brown

Is too nearing its trembling Fall

Though my seed is sewed and she so beautifully grows

I too shall meet the ground

But from rot in decay and tears of dismay,

Is born birth and life

My my branches yield and never break

Despite our worldly strife

And those who rest and rejoin the soul give birth once again

And it is there that our solace bares

It’s light and misty glow

May they all sleep tight when the curtain of night

Shades our memories and all we know,

Mother mo chroí may your soul be free

And stand with your roots, beneath dwindling tree.