Redwoods

Sunlight flashing through the trees;––

Scarlet pillars skyward stand,

Untouched by even gentlest breeze,

As dawn’s bright gaze overtakes the land. 

Once all the land around was theirs,

Redwoods as far as eye could see,

Mid brighter light and keener airs,

And great things roaming wild and free.

Changed is the world since the trees were young,

Last living sprouts of the long-ago,

Over a thousand orbits gone;

It takes as long for them to grow.

Mere groves on lofty mountains stay,

And titans’ cries are fallen still;

But even now, the redwoods’ day

Breaks over the land on the highest hill.