A darkening tree

Two children dreamt

of long ago

and stood before a darkening tree

not know when who became

or where she dwelt.

nightfall fell - 

and long ago was now

and trees were stone

you and I were there

we cried - remember when?

for then was now 

and we were dead

the woods were dark.

The children stood

hand in hand

and fear was there

for not knowing, who became

or where she went - 

but seeing eyelids close

and nightfall come

seeing through the ages then

eyelids close one by one.

and standing there

for you and I to see

before we parted.

murderous tree

outstretched its limbs

the tree asking, in the dark

for caresses

that were more of mine

than yours - and time

was there, Elizabeth too

standing. dreaming,

of summer days to come

and years to pass.

by Joy Hester

© Jennifer Phillips