One evening as the sun went down
I wandered onto hallowed ground
‘Long a path ‘tween silent stones
That marked the rest of dust and bones

As the shadows, slow, unfurled
And dew, upon the flowers, pearled
I spied a tree of such great grace
It seemed a monarch of its race

From roots that tightly gripped the earth
Grew a trunk of such great girth
That if two men, stood face to face
They could not have filled an equal space

Its branches grew out, long and low
Protecting many graves below
Then reached up toward the nighted sky
With softly sighing leaves on high

Drawn like a moth to flame
I stepped beneath its leafy frame
And settled down upon one knee
To speak to it most reverently

Great Grandfather, Oh Ancient One
Blessed of the Moon and Sun
Abide my presence, I do pray
For but a moment, may I stay

And though it might be fantasy
I felt, in turn, it greeted me
Peace to you, it seemed to say
As you wish, child, you may stay

So for a time, I rested there
Breathing in its sweet green air
Until a pregnant moon came out
And, at last, I felt some doubt

For it was a cemet’ry
Where dead things are most wont to be
And I was not so awf’ly brave
To be so close to tomb and grave

And as I left, reluctantly,
I cast a last look at the tree
And vowed that I would come again
To spend some time with my old friend