The Oak King

It seems like the Oak King is dormant
Spring is springing
And he is dormant

His tree line with crispy leaves
As though he somehow
Out of all the tree spirits
Didn't get the memo

Moss, lichen, crocus
Spring forth
Open their leaves
And bloom

But it seems the Oak King
Perhaps
Has yielded all to the King of Holly this year

Maybe
There will be still another snow
Maybe
He forgot to come back to meet the Maiden
Maybe...

And yet
Each year
But Midsummer
He still stands strong
Ready to defend his spoils

The long work of the land

To row home to his own shores the harvest
All struck and plowed and gathered
At his hand.