I Believe in Trees

I Believe in Trees

Those silent citadels

standing against long

nights of wind and cold.

Broken willow bramble

scratches a pale sky after

yesterday’s ice storm.

Each spring small buds

blossom as bugs and

butterflies orbit boughs.

Green new leaf fits

your hand so perfectly.

The future lies in your palm.

Birds reciting litany in woods.

Each rainfall the forest

grows taller, more verdant.

Summer afternoons…trees

sashay in sunshine showing

off their emerald gowns.

Winds sway maple branches.

Leaves drop like butterflies

falling to the warm earth.

Red yellow brown carpets

of crunchy foliage spread

over roads welcoming us.

By Joan McNerney

Joan McNerney’s poetry has been included in numerous literary magazines such as Boston Review of the Arts, Kalliope, Mudfish, Spectrum and Word Thursdays. Four of her books have been published by fine literary presses. She has performed at the National Arts Club, State University of New York, Oneonta, McNay Art Institute and other distinguished venues. A recent reading was sponsored by the American Academy of Poetry. Her latest title is Having Lunch with the Sky, A.P.D. Press, Albany, New York.