ghost trees – SOLC 2017 #27

On a cloudy, showery day

with overcast and gloomy skies,

the wooded spaces have a certain gleam –

an otherworldly brightness

in contrast to the dark.

 

As spring returns,

the ghost trees linger:

holding tight to leaves from yesteryear –

no sign of green among them,

only sun-bleached transparency remains.

 

Are they reluctant to let go

of memories of warmer times

and sunnier, carefree days –

or are they protecting the tiny buds

that soon will come, again?

 

Either way, they know and value

the reason for their existence –

providing a sheltered place in the forest

filled with life and growth –

for that which was, and also is to come.

 

American beech trees hold tightly to their dead fall leaves until the new spring buds are ready to open and start anew.