From The Robin To Tree Poem by Emma Vander Dussen

You are half gone into your slumber,
O my dreaming love. The sun has captured
your leaves and has transformed yellow to orange
orange to red, granting them their golden death
as you sleep and dream those dreams unknown.

Do you feel the wind as she finds
your hidden crevices and tickles them
with her cool caress? Or are you so far gone
into your slumber that you feel no loss
as she flirts away your leaves, one by one.

I can see you now, in winter’s deep,
as snow lays herself along your barren shape.
She shimmers and dances and whispers sparkling delights
Do you hear her? Does she enchant your dreams?
When I return to you, love, may I hear what secrets she shared?

I am jealous of your sun and wind and snow soft lovers.
But I will wait for spring to come again.
Then shall I be held in your branches and cradled in
your roots, feeling fire move through your veins
giving life to newly budding dreams.

And if you ever feel inclined, love,
to share your winter dreams as I move
throughout your leafy kingdom, do not hesitate
to grow a limb, just for me, where I may sleep
and dream that which you witnessed alone.

I will stay with you until Fall’s air
kisses your branches and the setting sun drives
me from your sight. And then with the children
we raised in your hold, I will once again take to flight
leaving you to your dreams 'till Spring's reunion light