The Garlands Once That Gaped And Graced My Head Poem by Keith Shorrocks Johnson

I was the symbol of new life arising
The cross reborn in resurrection -
But carelessness and pride despising
Sense has brought sweet nature to rejection.

Recovery lost in this betrayal
You have cut too hard, too deep to the quick
Rhyme and reason, rhythm and renewal
Have been stilled and the wounded earth grows sick.

From teeming autumn with its rich increase
The barrenness of winter you have won
And silent spring its wasted power gone
Mouths only now of summer's sad disease.

What scarring have I known - what dark days seen?
Man come stow your axe, you have hewn far down
My strength is gone to heal and then redeem
I can no longer raise my green-cleft crown.

The garlands once that gaped and graced my head
Are lost to greed, adorned with gold - and dead:
There was no honour in the blows you dealt
You were not equal to the love I felt.