A Mythology of Leaves

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

Regular readers will know I have a passion for nature; its trees, history, and mythology...

A MYTHOLOGY OF LEAVES

As the wind rustles leaves across earth and sky

and the moon feels its way among clouds,

hear voices of old gods telling loud and strong

of a time when they sat, oh, so proudly,

on the crest of Olympus considering the ways

of Earth’s children, found us wanting

It is Earth Mother who replies, loud and strong,

reminding them where they went wrong,

trying to manipulate humankind at their whim

like pieces on a chessboard instead

of allowing for its foibles and letting its peoples

win or lose their own battles

To the tawny owl, she calls, as it hunts its prey

and to the rabbit, trying to run away…

To the rough sleeper on the streets of a city

where few will act upon their pity

but watch and wait, playing the blame game

(old gods, in all but name)

As the wind rustles leaves across earth and sky

and the moon feels its way to dawn,

hear voices of old gods calling loud and strong

on a time long, long, gone…

while Earth Mother can but consider the ways

of a new generation, find us wanting

Come day, hear Earth Mother confide in Apollo

how humanity’s poetry rings, oh, so hollow

[From: On the Battlefields of Love by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2010