Raff Envisioning Penn de Foucart in Heartwood

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem

The hearts of trees are always hidden in

Their bark and outer wood and in a grove

Of denseness.  Adult trees can hide within

Their grouping there a fragranced some time trove

Of something never darkness.  There may be

Unbidden strengths that most of men do not

Aspire to.  There may be a heavenly tree

That waits within, a tree without a knot

Or blemish, trunk that hopes for men to find

It in their powers.  Lightning might split wood

But that would harm the strongest strength refined

By highest realm for reaching manly good.

  A noble’s son among the retinue

    Between the trees is dreaming of God’s view.