Slow fade
You received the gift of love
along with the beauty of roses
and each day the birdsong
cheered your heart
you knew something
of the phases of the moon
and the movement of planets
but the future remained
a mystery and your life
took its own course
which you followed meekly
the trees that cast shadows
throughout your childhood
will outlive you
the oak and sweet chestnut
the elm and silver birch
and the space that you occupied
will be filled by another
the river into which
you cast stones will flow
down to the sea and your time
will dissolve into a thousand
faded memories
that few will recall
John Lyons