Anne M. Carson

Golden wych elm: Ulmus glabra Lutescens

Each leaf is a lens filtering light into the tree’s

ample aura; taffeta greens shot through with

clean citrus tones. Foliage that steps the sun

down into wattage soft and soothing enough

to do you good. Just to look is botanical

baptism. Behind the new leaves are older,

darker leaves; deep bottle-green which cup

new growth the way a florist cuffs flowers

in a posy – darker outlines lending depth,

definition, three dimensionality. A comely

arrangement by someone who knows her

aesthetics – symmetry, balance, how to use

shadow so the feature stands out. The light

and the dark of leaves is a philosophy the tree

imparts; the new coming into being, the old

falling away, no longer in the limelight.

Anne M. Carson is a widely published Melbourne writer. She is currently looking for a publisher for a verse biogrpahy about Dr Felix Kersten, masseur to Heinrich Himmler. She knew of Martin Harrison only by reputation until his death when she discovered his work, experiencing a deep sense of recognition.