For Glen Russell - Sign Painter and Wood Carver

There once was a yew tree felled by a storm 
its stumpy roots washed downstream by the flood
from the bank of the glen where it stood firm
till a carver found it looking for wood

who saw in it the shape of a dryad
he liberated so she would swim free
made a woman whose beauty struck all glad
breasting a swirling stream loosed from a tree

that had once shaded a sheltered rock pool
where his muse bathed naked giving delight
now an antique on top of a dresser
glowing with golden tones in the sunlight

time has settled in chiseled grooved ripples

dust's been wiped from bare shoulders neck and face

love tenderly touched her breasts' brown nipples

as she swims forever away with grace.


Richard M Russell (C) Dick Russell
            December 29, 2022