Nigel Humphreys
Laburnum
I set a trap for the future, knowing
it would pass this way in time. We
had stalked each other for years,
I knew its killing grounds, its staple diet
how it camouflaged itself in the hurly burly
prowled around each moment, claws retracted
drawn by the essence of fear.
So I prepared the ground well, dug a hole,
scattered bone
used a young laburnum as bait.
How could it resist its green bark
lissom, pouting
its prepubescent shoots
saffron feathering.
All I had to do was wait.
It took the lure. I knew it would
and now I have it caged within
the sap, can watch it pace and snarl
as green auburns, fleshy
and branches stretch and yawn
robe themselves in summer leis
while all its time young sprigs
anneal the bars.
That was five years ago.
Now each time I look at the tree
I see the future sit up and beg.
it would pass this way in time. We
had stalked each other for years,
I knew its killing grounds, its staple diet
how it camouflaged itself in the hurly burly
prowled around each moment, claws retracted
drawn by the essence of fear.
So I prepared the ground well, dug a hole,
scattered bone
used a young laburnum as bait.
How could it resist its green bark
lissom, pouting
its prepubescent shoots
saffron feathering.
All I had to do was wait.
It took the lure. I knew it would
and now I have it caged within
the sap, can watch it pace and snarl
as green auburns, fleshy
and branches stretch and yawn
robe themselves in summer leis
while all its time young sprigs
anneal the bars.
That was five years ago.
Now each time I look at the tree
I see the future sit up and beg.
Page(s) 52
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