The Black Tree On A Stormy Night. Poem by PAUL COLVIN

The Black Tree On A Stormy Night. 22nd February 2013.

The storm rages full of fight
But the old black tree defies its might
Eking, stretching, eerily
Its venom spat out angrily
Upwards, outwards, it won't rescind
As it thrashes to the icy wind
Attack, destroy, the brooding sky
Its knotted, gnarled, branches fly
Rearing up, its lashes cast
The wind fights back, the trunk holds fast
Howling, pounding, cold and raw
Its raging power held in awe
A hundred branches twist and writhe
Striking at the cold grey sky
This black and creeping silhouette
Beats back the sky and yet
One final surge will be the test
As leafless branches come to rest
It battled hard and battled long
But the raging storm was just too strong
It bowed not to the icy wind
It yielded not ‘til death.

Paul Colvin.