[Close as the tree’s bark]
Close as the tree’s bark
She stood by him, her youth
Looked out serenely
At rain and wind and lightning flash.
And on her face I drew, for want
Of better things to do,
The lines of life, of age,
Of mistrust and abandonment.
For neither would his soft, fair voice
Or explanations keep her by him
When time had had its say,
And life had laid its trail.