a painting by Raoul Dufy
Just off the road at the crest of the hill
Staunchly rooted a big elm tree
Spreads its canopy of comfort
Feeling freely across the well-chosen scene
No traveler seen trekking along this road
Hot and sweaty breathing the dust of a burning road
No traveler to welcome under this tree
No traveler to rest and taste its sylvan umbrage
Billowing cummuli calmly drifting by
High above these ships of the sky
The big tree, gently, sadly waves its leaves
Its waiting arms always ready to receive
Day after day the big tree searches the clouds
It waves until it wets its leaves in the dark blue sea
Slabs of blue, calm, luxurious, waves of blue
No longer feeling those pangs of blue
– August 5, 2008
