The living leaves

The tree is here, still, in pure stone,

in deep evidence, in solid beauty,

layered, through a hundred million years.

Agate, cornelian, gemstone

transmuted the timber and sap

until damp corruptions

fissured the giant's trunk

fusing a parallel being:

the living leaves

unmade themselves

and when the pillar was overthrown

fire in the forest, blaze of the dust-cloud,

celestial ashes mantled it round,

until time, and the lava, created

this gift, of translucent stone.

 

Neruda

 

,,, awarded .. www.flickr.com/groups/la_vida_es_un_viaje/discuss/7215765...

Done