Betula pendula tristis
In. mem. J. Frost
This year the birch’s leaves are sparse,
its limbs palsied with age,
thinner than the rest
betula pendula tristis.
In autumn it’s in the
winter of life,
cankered all over
betula pendula tristis.
Yet the colours flare up
with gold leaf, rich red –
last letters to the ants below
betula pendula tristis.
It reminds you me of you, dear friend,
throwing it all to the wind
before the frost came
betula pendula tristis.