This poem is taken from PN Review 203, Volume 38 Number 3, January - February 2012.
Four from the Berggarten, Hannover
Araucaria
How far north Hannover lies, not many miles withdrawn
From the cold Baltic sea, its train of shadowy islands,
Open to the north wind that sweeps unanswered, unopposed
Down from the Lüneburg Heath like a clan of brigands.
Yet in the Duke of Hannover's Mountain Garden,
Outside the close-built greenhouse, pane upon pane
Of sun-inducing glass, outside the walls that shine,
One Araucaria tree remains, despite its exile. Constant
Winter after winter, it holds its ground, flourishing
Sabre branches, parrying the wind's invisible swords,
Blown snow, icy rain, lightning, as if it still stood
Rooted, at home, on Patagonia's mild pacific shore.
Weeping Cedar
Stopping beside an oddly fashioned tree,
I check the label: it's a Trauerzeder.
...
How far north Hannover lies, not many miles withdrawn
From the cold Baltic sea, its train of shadowy islands,
Open to the north wind that sweeps unanswered, unopposed
Down from the Lüneburg Heath like a clan of brigands.
Yet in the Duke of Hannover's Mountain Garden,
Outside the close-built greenhouse, pane upon pane
Of sun-inducing glass, outside the walls that shine,
One Araucaria tree remains, despite its exile. Constant
Winter after winter, it holds its ground, flourishing
Sabre branches, parrying the wind's invisible swords,
Blown snow, icy rain, lightning, as if it still stood
Rooted, at home, on Patagonia's mild pacific shore.
Weeping Cedar
Stopping beside an oddly fashioned tree,
I check the label: it's a Trauerzeder.
...
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