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