The Three Trees

He found a sapling in the shade
He bathed it in the warmth of wine
And watered it with the fire of blood
To its ears he spelt words of might
And manured it with the four fruits of decay

The child grew fell and wild
And reached out to touch the skies
His roots rent the earth beneath
And his boughs darkened day to night
_______________________________________________

He found a sapling in the shade
And planted it in softened soil
He wet the roots with scented water
Clipped the leaves when they went awry
And sang to its ears holy hymns

The child grew gentle and strong
But bowed to the starry skies
It gave fruit to the starved
And shade to tired eyes
________________________________________________

A sapling found itself in the shade
Clinging on to hard bedrock
It grew little and grew hardy
Every winter withering its leaves
Slowly it put forth its first bitter fruit
And ate it with the seed

Then it grew silent and strange
The skies feared it and turned thither
At last it cast its second and last fruit
Which shone through its black body
Lovingly burning its mother to white ash
And rose to the heavens, to join the sun
________________________________________________