Trees In Europe Poem by keith murray

In the depths of leafy England
during the war
a tree was left to droop and wither.
Perhaps a soldier, home on leave
stopped to try to buttress what remained
rearranging branches,
recovering conduits
over many months of devoted labour,
blending into the countryside,
living off the land and river,
watching the tree bloom in freedom
while, all alone in leafy Germany,
perhaps a soldier home on leave
created an impressive windbreak
planting trees and laying drains
over long months of devotion
for now we can testify
that peaceful hands at one time
must have tended these green patches of the world
still flourishing with tender spirit
and grace that flows through the heart.

Keith Murray