Wounded Birch

Eva Simkova, Co. Fermanagh
Inspired by a poem from Slovakia

 

Large moon’s, golden kiss upon Birch leaves,

Birch, Birch, tell me why you cry these days and nights?

Birch quivering, her tears falling in the gentle night breeze,

Why, kind Moon, can’t you see I am lonely and dying.

 

What? gasped the shocked Moon,

You look so beautiful and well.

But look around Moon, my siblings are fallen,

Life’s sap pouring from their veins.

 

But why? Dear Birch,

Please, help me understand your plight.

Dear Moon, in a world of words with so many printed,

They use our flesh to make paper.

 

As day arrived, the saddened Moon passed on,

And the noisy saws roared once more,

Farewell then Birch, when your time has ended,

Just hope for now, when paper, you will be something splendid.