The Hector Hoctor Tree

[adat]

On mound of grey
contained by snow,
arbour flayed raw
sways, bends, cracks, moans.

Stained green with black
defies the frost,
holds pinched dry fruit,
red blood of ox.

For none but He,
or It, or She --
there far beyond
our salted wall,
that salted pond;

mortal gasp of
timeless scree,
stands, persists
the Hoctor tree.

On mound of grey
Contained by snow
Arbour flayed raw
Bends, gasps, and moans

Green speckled black
Defies the frost
Bears pinched dry fruit
Like blood from ox

For none but He,
Or It, or She --
There far beyond
Our salted wall,
That salted pond

Then and now, not
Forever more
Stands, persists
The Hector Hoctor tree