The Laburnum

Just down the road from where I live

A lone laburnum tree grows.

It does not advertise itself,

Unlike the cawing crows.

But like the cawing crows, you'd say

There's nothing to this tree-

Its height is unremarkable,

It lives so ordinary.

But come the summer, golden light

Is trapped within the tree.

In May, the crystallized sunbeams,

Burst out for all to see.

The thundery grey sky casts its gloom

On everything in sight,

But the little tree is quite untouched -

It burns with topaz light.

Flowers of sunshine cloak the tree

And dazzle every eye.

And every puff of a wayward breeze

Drops gold on passerby.

Even the beggar down the street

Smiles when he sees this tree.

And for some moments he can feel

A joy that comes for a free