The Barrens

~The Barrens~
This barren land, once so green,
It’s rivers wrought to dry ravines,
From cove to cave this land’s a grave
To those the gods had failed to save.

An icy gale of August air,
Beats and barrels over the lair
Of a beast so hunch-backed, cowering,
It shies away from loud wind’s howling.

Covered with dirt, sealed by dirt.
But the gods hold the key to remove all it’s hurt.
Silverleaf bunches, patches of peacebloom,
And the briarthorn sheaf that hang down with gloom.

What could this land be, purged of plight
And hot desert sands? Battle this blight,
O battle this blight, the desert sand’s hot;
But don’t lose faith lest the green be forgot.
- after Hopkins

- Kat