I told the trees my secrets;
The leaves began to stir,
Oaken brown and maple red
Came tumbling to the earth.
I told the earth my secrets;
The frost began to rise,
Engulfing land in ice and cold
Beneath a crystal sky.
I told the sky my secrets;
The northern wind blew free,
Bearing clouds of snowbound grey
Across a flooding sea.
I told the sea my secrets,
As winter gripped the land;
The tide rolled on impassive,
Against the cliffs of sand.
Written 1992 November 5. Not one of my happier poems, but effective enough in its own way. The verses correspond with the ancient elements: fire, earth, air, water. But you'd probably worked that out already! (2000-05-29)