ACROSS the hill on which the ancient tree –
The patriarchal tree – for centuries
Hath stood, the south winds howl in rage, and drive
The wintry rain with strong, attacking blasts.
Hour after hour the tempest hurls itself,
Until the tree, weakened where fire had gnawed
Its massive bole, breaks and falls splintered down !
And thus, old speaking tree, this jagged stump
Remains sole residue to mark thy place.
But though its place shall know it now no more,
It stood not here for nought, and in the years
To come, when native poesy shall lift
Its head ” The Patriarchal Tree ” will live.
(Gerard Addington D Arcy Irvine)
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Based on Topics: Nature Poems, Place Poems, Anger PoemsBased on Keywords: residue, attacking, patriarchal