Central Park Lovers II

The forms
of the emotions are crystalline,
geometric faceted. So we recognize
only in the white heat of
understanding, when a flame
runs through the gap made
by learning, the shapes of things--
the ovoid sun, the pointed trees

lashing branches

The wind is fierce, lashing

the long-limbed trees whose
branches
wildly toss--

William Carlos Williams "April" from Della Primavera Trasportata al Morale (1930)

Rust

Time will rust the sharpest sword,
Time will consume the strongest cord;
That which molders hemp and steel
Mortal arm and nerve must feel.

Harold the Dauntless [1817] canto I, stanza 4
Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)

Sir Walter Scott used to be one of the most popular authors of all time; not just in his lifetime but even after he died. Back then, time always was considered the conquerer of people. These days, our solution is to speed up everything, as if that could keep the passage of time at bay. Perhaps.