Fall and Spring

Fall and Spring

To an Old Woman


She who loved the trees of goldengrove
Her cares lessening like leaves falling
Until all that's left are leafbare branches

Will love no less for all the loss
The life at rest under winter frost
The promise of spring’s first songs.

This poem appears to be labored over, but in fact I did nothing but open up to it. In fact, I almost ruined it. I changed "lessening" to "deepening". Fixed it! But then I realized much later that by trying to deepen it, I had lessened it. By lessening it again, now, I deepen it again. First thought best thought, as AG says, especially if it is straight from the Muse. The cheek.Third verse, same as the first! 

Thanks to Simon for pointing me back to this perfect poem.