Red Alders in March

by Ursula K. Le Guin

A bronze gong struck once

hums so long your ear

can follow the tone on

into out of hearing.

When the trees stand close

first hung with catkins,

that’s how the color

of alders is: a ghost of light,

a rust-rose pallor, tone

so soft you catch it,

lose it, follow it almost

into out of sight.

“Red Alders in March” by Ursula K. Le Guin

Used by permission of Curtis Brown, Ltd.