So you say you don’t like Silver Birch?

/ Landscape / By

Let me see if I can change your mind…..

Autumn sees the Silver Birch at it’s most vibrant
They can be pretty dynamic in summer too!
They often keep a few leave late into winter
Even with no leaves they can lift a landscape image
And if they’re good enough for the great Ansel Adams, they’re good enough for me!

Image courtesy The Ansel Adams Gallery
https://www.anseladams.com/ansel-adams-aspens-new-mexico/

The Silver Birch by Herbert Asquith. April 2012.

O SILVER one, O silver one,
Above the valley of the Bane:
O stem with snow-water agleam,
And glistening limbs, and trails of pearl.

The sun has sent a slanting kiss: 
Red fire and gold, his arrows burn: 
Now that he aims a shaft at thee, 
Red fire and gold to silver turn! 

When I am spent with the ways of men.
I’ll wash my hands in melting snow:
And live with thee among the oaks,
And watch the river swirl below.

But I must ever be travelling
From sea to sea, from shoal to shoal:
Farewell ! O still and beautiful,
I would thy valley were my goal!

Still not convinced…..?