The Log Fire

In her last hour of life the tree     Gave up her glorious memories,     Wild scent of wood anemone,     The sapphire blue of April skies.     With faint but ever-strength'ning flame,     The dew-drenched hyacinthine spires     Were lost, as red-gold bracken came,     With maple bathed in living fires.     Grey smoke of ancient clematis     Towards the silver birch inclined,     And deep in thorny fastnesses     The coral bryony entwined.     Then softly through the dusky room     They strayed, fair ghosts of other days,     With breath like early cherry bloom,     With tender eyes and gentle ways.     They glimmered on the sombre walls,     They danced upon the oaken floor,     Till through the loudly silent halls     Joy reigned majestical once more.     Up blazed the fire, and, dazzling clear,     One rapturous Spirit radiant stood.     'Twas you at last! Yes, YOU, my dear.     We two were back in Gatcombe Wood!