November Carved in Beech Tree Bark by Steven Bucher
We carved child initials
Embraced by heart
In beech tree bark
In November gray
As if our child hearts
Here to stay
November gray
When life withdraws
Eurydice passing
Lasting echo into night
Laying bare our
Frailty and flaws
Leaving only
Caws of crows and
Claws of branches bare
To see us safely through
No welcome here
In orphaned gray
Only for the stout of heart
Carved in beech tree bark
Who walk the silent way
Through wreaths and leaves
Fallen to forgetfulness
I walk the silent way
November ground
Forbidden ground
Beauty bound to sacred song
With hallowed strings
Attuned to rime and
Hoarfrost
Beauty bound
November song
Forbidden song
My lyre lost in tears
And I…
With gelid words both
Glistening and gaunt
Glistening and gaunt
I walk withdrawn
Orphaned between
Averted eyes that haunt
Silent ways through
Remembrance faint and
Quiet disbelief
November gray
Forbidden song
Lost in tears of
Letting go
Sunlit setting
Like beech tree leaves
Golden notes
Wind dancing
Drifting
Lifting
Glistening way
To hoarfrost earth
Bound to beauty
Carved in beech tree bark
November’s silent
Challenge
Gift and grace
Embrace with love
All that you have loved
Embrace with love
The life withdrawn
Embrace with love
The mortal moment yours
Embrace…
And then let go
Song passing
Eurydice
Like beech tree leaves
Beauty bound to
Glistening earth
Steven Bucher lives and writes poetry in the Virginia Piedmont. He has a PhD in philosophy from the University of Toronto and is an active member of the Poetry Society of Virginia. Steven is a retired English teacher, but prefers to think of himself as an English teacher in remission. Steven's first collection of poetry, We Stay a Brief Telling, was published by Propertius Press in 2021.