POPLAR
Remember our poplar? Playful in the breeze
it kept us safe from the incendiary sun
as joyfully it swayed its graceful top
and whispered pleasantly its subtle pleasures
spreading its laughter to the yards and grapevines
when it was answering your ever-happy laughter.
I passed it yesterday. Oh, what the years can do!
Neglect and loneliness reigned all around,
but that gigantic poplar knew my pain
and with a soft, sad whisper told it
to the wind and to the sun’s insufferable heat
when it was answering only to my tears.
Manolis Aligizakis 