03-16-2013, 12:40 PM
Last revision:
Puma
Ranks broken,
the deciduous force fails
in the face of marching evergreens,
while the stream that cowers at their feet
will serve victor and loser alike.
Yet the stream, too, is sure to die,
though at the hot hand of the sun,
not by strangling root.
As the rabbit is eaten by crueller things
I’m eaten from within by hungry Age,
and will soon lie still
at a cold conqueror's foot.
Revision the second:
Puma
Ranks broken,
the deciduous force fails
in the face of marching evergreens,
while the stream that cowers at their feet
will serve victor and loser alike.
Yet the stream, too, is sure to die,
though at the hot hand of the sun,
not by strangling root.
As rabbits are eaten by crueller things
I’m eaten from within by hungry Age,
and will soon lie still
at a cold conqueror's foot.
Revision the first:
Puma
Ranks broken,
the deciduous force fails
in the face of marching evergreens,
while the stream that cowers at their feet
will serve victor and loser alike.
Yet the stream too is sure to die,
though at the hands of the sun,
not by strangling root.
And as rabbits are eaten by crueller things
I’m eaten from within by hungry Age,
and will soon lie still
at conquering coniferous root.
Original:
Forest stands with forest
in opposition, always.
Winter-bearers or keepers-green:
whose stance will be the firmest,
prevailing through the killing days?
Answer not, you cowered stream,
content to service both.
What is it that you hope to gain?
You are doomed by sun to die,
where once your source brought growth.
That’ll be your fitting shame,
to die while pleading mercy of the sky.
To pity moved, my heart is not,
by ceasing flow and tumbled tree,
nor by screaming rabbit.
For all things do go down to rot,
and thereby finally are set free.
Or so I think as here I sit,
awaiting doom now closely brought.
Though rivalled not amidst the trees,
my power finds its counter now;
for this potent cat is finally caught,
by the grasping hands of Time.
Puma
Ranks broken,
the deciduous force fails
in the face of marching evergreens,
while the stream that cowers at their feet
will serve victor and loser alike.
Yet the stream, too, is sure to die,
though at the hot hand of the sun,
not by strangling root.
As the rabbit is eaten by crueller things
I’m eaten from within by hungry Age,
and will soon lie still
at a cold conqueror's foot.
Revision the second:
Puma
Ranks broken,
the deciduous force fails
in the face of marching evergreens,
while the stream that cowers at their feet
will serve victor and loser alike.
Yet the stream, too, is sure to die,
though at the hot hand of the sun,
not by strangling root.
As rabbits are eaten by crueller things
I’m eaten from within by hungry Age,
and will soon lie still
at a cold conqueror's foot.
Revision the first:
Puma
Ranks broken,
the deciduous force fails
in the face of marching evergreens,
while the stream that cowers at their feet
will serve victor and loser alike.
Yet the stream too is sure to die,
though at the hands of the sun,
not by strangling root.
And as rabbits are eaten by crueller things
I’m eaten from within by hungry Age,
and will soon lie still
at conquering coniferous root.
Original:
Forest stands with forest
in opposition, always.
Winter-bearers or keepers-green:
whose stance will be the firmest,
prevailing through the killing days?
Answer not, you cowered stream,
content to service both.
What is it that you hope to gain?
You are doomed by sun to die,
where once your source brought growth.
That’ll be your fitting shame,
to die while pleading mercy of the sky.
To pity moved, my heart is not,
by ceasing flow and tumbled tree,
nor by screaming rabbit.
For all things do go down to rot,
and thereby finally are set free.
Or so I think as here I sit,
awaiting doom now closely brought.
Though rivalled not amidst the trees,
my power finds its counter now;
for this potent cat is finally caught,
by the grasping hands of Time.