A VERY OLD PLAIN
I gazed at the old plain tree, at its mighty girth,
Did not know one so aged was still on the earth,
Long before white men came to Canada to stay,
This great tree in it’s glory and beauty did sway.
Three men side by side and still trunk did show,
From that wide trunk thick branches did grow,
From low they came as if holding up the sky,
And to and from the foliage many birds did fly.
It shaded well the path from the heat of the sun,
And many admiring glances the that old tree won,
I touched the bark, felt the rough green leaves
As it sang and danced in the cooling breeze.
Never before had I seen such an old, ancient plain,
And as long as I live I may never see one again,
I wanted to go and pick off just one dark green leaf,
But if everyone did that the old tree may come to grief.
I heard the rustle in the leaves but could not see
Any of the creatures who hid safely in that old tree,
I would love to see it in winter, see it’s naked beauty
But I’ll just imagine in my heart the tangled symmetry .
(Millicent) Ann Margetson July 13, 2003