Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A WORD FOR WINTER by STEPHEN MOONEY

First Line: BURN THE TALL BROWN BOUGH
Last Line: GLOW AS THEY PERISH.
Subject(s): WINTER;
Burn the tall brown bough
That lost its living leaf:
Its foliage now of gold
And sapphire flame is brief.
We burn the brown wood now.
On a mountain without name
The root rots in the mould.
Its only leaf is flame.

Here by the wide stone arch
Wait, and warm your fingers;
Speak, while the light flame lingers
And the brown boughs parch.
Say to me what you will:
Whatever you say I shall cherish,
While the tall brown boughs of the hill
Glow as they perish.



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