Forests of Norway Maples

FORESTS OF NORWAY MAPLES Every day we reviewed them in parade attitude Along the Snake River in the Tetons’ solitude, Or at attention on the banks of the Volga In the infinite taiga - In neat ranks along river terraces Warm dark firs mixed with yellow acer, All with the wind slowly leaning, Their branches across the river-ice signalling To great endless squadrons of their fellows : In spring with their full flowers - yellows : An army in a gold and topaz uniform Ready and waiting for orders to fall in and conform ; And in fall with their rich golden foliage Always polished and ready for duty with courage. In poor soil, in tough climate, these were heroes Prepared for all their tomorrows. Each morning we watched “Reveille” parade In the dawn’s early light; and the evening shade Gave “taps” for that heroic multitude - The taiga’s topaz army, in golden solitude.