Where Death Defies Lament

In Nature’s hand death defies grief

Its beauty undeterred

As lofty limb is weaned of leaf

And shadow-scrim is shirred

Where, though the lilt of summer green

Quilts earth with bronze and rust

It strikes a sacred chord between

The Dreamer and the Dust

…for Beauty does not bow her head

Or break beneath the toll

That drives the leaf-song to a bed

That harbours all but soul

As font of farewell fills the rill

With taunt of season spent

It draws the eye toward the hill

Where death defies lament

© Janet Martin