The Trees

 The Trees

And then came the night when the sounds ceased.

The trees still, quivering, listening, sad;

the trees gentle, listening,far;

the trees swaying just a little, hardly seen, hardly felt,

their presence, a distilled drop of dew.

The night quailed, touched the tree and fell into peace

without longing.

Denuded of knowledge and strife,

the trees swayed,

and the leaves in a gentle surprise

called upon the wind

to break open the code

of the silence between the tree and the night.

Sushama Karnik (c)