Sopianae

.
The renaissance of trees welcomes the Raven,

a year of re-enacted memory. Today an old

light of bygone Spring has been awakened,

forgotten voices croak, then speak and sing. The gold

redusted "On a Trans-Danubian Almond Tree

***

Heracles saw not its likeness at the Hesperides’ grove, nor

Had King Alcinous shown such to Ulysses the great.

Miracle even for happy isles with plentiful pastures,

More so among chill clods, northern Pannonia lands.

See how the almond tree blooms bravely into the winter,

Though all its splendid buds shall be smothered by the frost!

Almond tree, little Phyllis, swallows are nowhere near yet,

Or has it been so hard, waiting for youthful Spring?"

(J.P.)