Lonely Poplar

observe the snow so seldom known
where grass and trees are northward blown
with hot wind from the salty coast
defy this dusty temperate zone
where three or four flakes fall at most

and yet the earth is strangely white
what once was faded now is bright
as far as any eye can see
for nothing breaks this arctic sight
except a lonely poplar tree

installed upon a barren hill
as if the earth and time stood still
with nothing it could call its own
apart from its unswerving will
to brave the snow so seldom known