anniversary poem

the smell of the rose so false, the thorns so true
into the silent land
woman much missed, how you call to me, call to me
up from the meadows rich with corn
for i was a gaunt, grave councillor
how shall i help to right the world that is going wrong
the lightning flashed, and lifted
i burn no incense
why do you always stand there shivering
i have seen the proudest stars
up from the south at break of day
have you seen walking through the village
the child who threw away leaf after leaf
my son is dead and i am going blind