The Oak Tree and the Branch, Poems 2016-2024

This new book contains Volumes 35 to 41 of Nicholas Hagger’s phenomenal poetic output in many different styles, some more political and others lyrical. In the latter category is Oak Tree, evoking the leaves on the lawn while there are still leaves on the tree to be shed. Here are the final three stanzas (Nicholas was born in 1939):

Like an oak tree I stand Gnarled, and seven-branched, and spread Two thousand poems beneath, And still more poems to shed. O oak tree and poet, You obey the same law that chimes With the universe and shed Your style of truth many times. I am within Nature, I speak with the tongue of trees. I shed my leafy works And will lie in a field beyond breeze.