Did You Notice

On either side the boarded footpath lie Still pools in swamp with sinister reflection Dull images and scenes of life gone by Suggest to heart a darkness and dejection But did you notice, let the view beguile Where sun now lights the pines in vivid green And winter-stripped to elegant profile The leafless trees’ bare symmetry is seen ............................. The beech hedge brown and desiccated stands Each leaf crisp dry from which all life has fled In faded form the present aspect scanned What chance that it may yet renew and spread But did you notice, hid in twigs concealed There, tiny buds await a sign to grow Then full imbued with reborn life they’ll yield A Spring apparel, bounteous life bestow ............................. The nation now divided in contention * Each faction faces others they despise With hatred they wish for their sole ascension To bring on their adversary’s demise But did you notice that we still have choice Where freedom reigns, select our destination In Liberty we yet may raise a voice And speak unchained in self determination * Choose your own ‘nation’