A Lady but not a Gentleman
Deep into a warm winter
the Japanese red maple keeps
her crown of brilliant leaves
as if to prove to the evergreens
especially that big blue spruce
he’s not the only one
who can handle winter well.
But then the rains come,
days of pounding torrents,
and the maple drops her locks
except for the last three curls.
The blue spruce is unshaken.
He stands taller and glistens.
He looks as if he’s smiling
in the pouring rain.
Donal Mahoney
